By Progress Godfrey, Abuja
No fewer than 250 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) observers were deployed as election observers to monitor assistive materials provided by INEC, to foster inclusivity and independent participation of PWDs at the polls.
The Executive Director of Inclusive Friends Association, IFA, Ms Grace Jerry disclosed this on Friday in Abuja during a pre-election press conference.
She said the deployment was to further ensure electoral policy implementation, explaining that 2023 General Election was the first of its kind after the signing of the 2022 Electoral Act as amended.
She added that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, provided 21, 165 magnifying glasses for persons with albinism and others with low vision, thousands of braille ballot papers, as well as pictorial election materials for deaf voters
Ms Jerry said the IFA, through its campaigns carried out its first-ever polling unit assessment for a better understanding of the challenges faced by the PWDs on election day and to verify evidence-based reports on data collected.
“According to the commission’s report, 21,165 magnifying glasses will be provided for persons with albinism and low vision, 8,117 Braille ballots for blind voters who are able to read braille; and 6,167 EC30E PWD posters (a pictorial election instruction for deaf voters and other electorates).
“The vote-Ability is a disability rights movement led by Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) for Nigeria’s 30 million persons with disabilities (PWDs).” she said.
She called on INEC to fully enforce its policy of priority voting for PWDs to enhance their ability to vote, rather than standing too long in queues as witnessed in previous elections.
Ms Jerry urged the security agencies to ensure optimal protection for all voters and election observers, especially those with disabilities.