TQM report
Ahead of the October 10, 2020 governorship in Ondo state, The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) and the Network for the Advancement of Persons with Visible Disabilities (NAPVID), organizations that promote the rights of Persons with Disabilities especially in the electoral process organized a stakeholders roundtable in Akure. The stakeholders’ roundtable was attended by INEC National Commissioners, Dr. Ogunmola Ladipo Adekunle, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Muazu (Retired), the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Rufus Oloruntoyin Akeju , State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Mrs. A.O. Famuyiwa and the representative of the Ondo state commissioner of Police, Public Relations Officer, PPR Tee-Leo Ikoro.
The Executive Director of IFA Grace Jerry in her opening speech, appreciated INEC and their commitments towards ensuring the citizens with disabilities vote in the elections. Regarding the most recent Edo state governorship election, she made the following remarks:
- Applauded INEC Nigeria for the deployment of some voting materials in accessible formats to serve voters with disabilities during the elections, and the massive observance of priority voting for all voters with disabilities who voted during the elections.
- She also lauded INEC for collecting data of PWDs that voted in the election through the use of the Form EC40H by ad-hoc staff.
She however stated that from their observations, and those of organizations like Yiaga Africa,
- The braille ballot guides were deployed to only 38% of polling units.
- The election day written instructions form EC 30E (PWD) were not seen at polling units by PWD voters and various observer groups
- Magnifying glasses were not also seen in many of the polling units.
She recommended that INEC reviews its deployment plan for all materials needed to ensure that voters with disabilities experience more inclusivity compared to Edo.
She also added that INEC should ensure that Sign Language Interpreters are hired to provide sign language services during the INEC stakeholders forum ahead of the elections.
Following her remarks, IFA also formerly presented the disaggregated data of registered voters with disabilities to INEC Nigeria. She added that the data would support INEC to identify the specific polling units that need all materials on the day of election.
In the first session of the roundtable, Dr. Ogunmola Adekunle, appreciated IFA for its partnership with INEC Nigeria through the years to ensure that elections are made more accessible for PWDs. While giving the data to the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo state, Dr. Ogunmola confirmed that braille ballot guides and other materials have been produced for the Ondo governorship elections and they would improve on their deployment to ensure that the materials are properly circulated.
After receiving the data, Resident Electoral Commissioner appreciated IFA and the NAPVID for working with various PWD leaders to collect the data. He assured that they would use the data to support their deployment of the polling unit materials.
In the second session of the stakeholders’ roundtable, the Director of the NOA explained in details all the initiative they have carried out within the past weeks to sensitize the communities of PWDs in the state ahead of the election. The session also provided an interactive phase where participants asked questions and got clarification. Also, the sessions also assist PWD leaders to build relationships for post election engagement with the various state actors.
Additionally, the PPR of the Ondo state police force also assured the PWD leaders present that security would be provided and they have been given instructions to protect PWDs during the elections. He also assured that PWDs that would be observing the elections would not be harassed by any police officer. he also advised PWDs to conduct themselves in an oderly manner during the elections and observe all safety rules provided by INEC especially voting with the reality of COVID 19.
The Data for Inclusion program was supported by Voice Nigeria.
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