TQM report
Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) on Saturday 10th October, 2020 released their comprehensive report of the findings of the observers they deployed to the polling units across Ondo state to monitor the election and ascertain the level of adherence to INEC’s Framework on Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities in the Electoral Process and other relevant guidelines in the Ondo Governorship Election. The observers were persons with disabilities who were well trained by IFA so they know what it is expected of them, therefore, their findings are the true reflection of the level of disability inclusion in the ongoing Ondo governorship election.
Below is the full report which was signed by the Executive Director of IFA, Grace Jerry.
Preamble:
Against all odds, the 10th October 2020 governorship election for the apex democratic position in Ondo state was conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as earlier scheduled by the commission. Voters in Ondo state across the 18 local government have the opportunity to decide the candidate of their choice who will steer the will of leadership for the state for the next four (4) years.
Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) an Organisation with ardent concern on inclusion of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in democratic issues, deployed a team of trained observers across the 18 LGAs of the states while other members of the team roved several Pooling Units (PU) within the state capital. Observers were required to serve as stationary at the LGAs as they observe the entire election day process but, with due diligence on assistive materials for PWDs as assured by INEC as they observe all other basic process issues.
From the deployments, IFA team of observers observed that;
Braille Ballot Guide (BBG):
It was observed from the PUs visited that, the BBG was deployed to most of the PU to enable voters who were visually impaired cast their votes for candidates of their choice independently. Some other PU visited however did not have the BBG at their PU. The Yiaga Africa report captured that, the Braille ballot guide was present in 59% of sampled PUs. An explanation provided by some Presiding Officers however proved that, INEC had used the Data for inclusion submitted to them by Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) in the distribution of the BBG and other assistive materials.
Voter turnout:
A high number of the polling units visited by IFA shows clearly the impact of various voter education conducted by IFA and other Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) as there was high voter turnout of voters who were PWDs, young men and women, the aged, nursing mothers expressing their eagerness to cast their votes for the candidate of their choice.
INEC Logistics Deployment:
IFA observed the impact of various advocacies to INEC to be impactful as a high number of PUs across the state enjoyed adequate logistics arrangement which is impressive and commendable. Kits and non-sensitive materials were properly arranged. At least, a considerable number of INEC officials and voting materials got to most polling units visited early and reports across the state indicated that the average PUs commenced at 8:30am.
Flat Surface Ground Voting:
IFA observed that, most of the PU were still not accessible for PWDs as polling officials still had their set up on the pavement at most locations in Akure South but few PUs were set up on a flat ground. IFA observed that most PUs located in front of a residential building had issues of accessibility.
Priority Voting:
IFA observed that, there was high level of priority voting for PWDs during the election and this is highly commendable for INEC. This attitude was said to have started after the early rains. At the Ago Ireti settlement, there were quite large turnout of PWDs voters, PU code 001 likewise at Akure South Ward 4 unit 14 where we had large number of deaf voters cast their votes and Priority voting was given to PWD. However, voters revoked to priority voting system at PU 28/06/04/014 Oke-Ijebo Osikot Akinjos.
Magnifying Glasses:
In most PU visited, only few had the magnifying glasses which is required to assist voters who have albinism or visually impaired to vote without assistance.
Form EC30E PWD:
The instruction day poster was practically missing in most PUs visited by IFA in Akure South but present at Akoko North East, PU 007. However, PU 28/06/04/014 Oke-Ijebo Osikot Akinjos and 28/06/04/011 were highly populated with deaf voters who eventually were able to cast their votes upon arranging their own sign language interpreter. As the form required to assist deaf voters understand voting process in the absence of a sign language interpreters was not available. However, PWD posters Form EC 30E were present in 90% of polling units according to the Yiaga Africa’s report. This report depicts the usability of PWDs data submitted to INEC by Inclusive Friends Association which made deployment of assistive materials apt.
Form PWDEC40H:
IFA observed that form EC40H was available at all PUs visited by our observers and the usability was quite very impressive at PU that PWDs visited to cast their votes as details of PWDs were captured. Reports from voters with disabilities had it that, they requested for forms after casting their votes at their various PUs and they had their disability status recorded on the form. This form is use to capture data of PWDs in other to assist INEC’s deployment for PWDs in future elections and enhancing its database.
Security:
At every PUs visited, there was the presence security officials who also conducted themselves very professionally thereby providing confidence for PWDs in casting their votes.
Vote Buying:
IFA observers witnessed very low activity of vote buying and canvasing at most PUs visited but at 28/06/08/006 Freeman School Road Oke-Aro Road Block, some persons were heard to have been arguing over their payment as they had fulfilled their part by casted thirer vote as agreed.
Compliance with COVID-19 Protocol:
At most PUs visited, voters initially adhered to the COVID19 protocols and on the 2-tier queuing system as well as the social distance pattern on queues. However, voters negated the protocols after the earlier rains in Akure as voters fear they might not have the opportunity to vote due to the high turnout of voters after the rain. Although INEC officials had their sanitizers and consistently announced the need for social distance to voters on the queue but it was seemingly neglected as voters never obeyed.
Challenges:
Negating of COVID19 protocols
Insufficient form EC 30E PWD at most PUs
Insufficient magnifying glasses at most Pus
Most PUs in Akure South and across the State still have gutters and high corridors which made it very difficult for PWDs to access the PUs.
Conclusion:
INEC deserve commendation for the improvements recorded thus far in areas such as, the provision of braille for voters with visual impairment, training of polling officials in managing the electoral process especially engaging PWDs as part of the ad-hoc staff. PU28/06/04/011 Oke-Ijebo had PWDs as part of their ad-hoc staff this is a good initiative of inclusion in the area of employment.
However, the commission should make efforts to address the challenges identified above and especially, make efforts to engage relevant government agencies in providing concrete slabs to ensure accessibility for PUs located in front of residential buildings due to the existing gutter challenges or better still change PUs to more accessible ones.
SOME PICTURES OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE OBSERVERS AND PWDS VOTING AT THE ELECTION
