From Ijeoma John, Nnewi
TAF Africa, an organisation funded by the European Union has frowned on the inability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide assistive devices for persons with disabilities in all the polling units in Anambra State.
The Group, whose aim is to ensure political participation of persons with disabilities recorded some irregularities seen in just concluded governorship election in Anambra State as: absence of magnifying glasses for Albinism, braille ballot guides for visually impaired persons, ad-hoc staff unaware of EC40H: PWD Voter Information and Statistics form across several polling units, manipulation of PWDs by party agents and vote buying.
TAF Africa however, commended INEC for a peaceful conduct of the election, urging them to periodically update and verify disability- disaggregated Voter data to ensure accurate deployment of assistive tools and materials.
The Group further urged INEC to ensure magnifying glasses, braille ballot guides and other assistive tools reach polling units where they are needed.
They urged them to institutionalise mandatory training for all ad-hoc officials on disability inclusion, the administration of form EC40H and proper handling of assistive
tools.
To Civil Society Organisation ( CSOs) and Media, TAF Africa called on them to sustain advocacy and monitoring on disability inclusion, while political parties were charged to include persons with disabilities in their party structures and campaign processes.