Ahead of the highly anticipated Edo State governorship election on September 21, 2024, TAF Africa, a leading civil society organization championing the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prioritize inclusivity.
TAF Africa emphasized the need for accessible voting conditions to ensure that all eligible voters, including those with disabilities, can participate fully in the electoral process.
In statement issued on September 20, 2024, Amb. Jake Epelle, CEO and Founder of TAF Africa, reiterated the organization's commitment to observing the election with a focus on disability inclusion.
He urged INEC to deploy appropriate assistive tools and ensure that polling stations are equipped to cater to the unique needs of voters with disabilities.
"The 2024 Edo State governorship election provides a crucial opportunity to reinforce the rights of persons with disabilities to participate in the electoral process without hindrance or discrimination. TAF Africa remains dedicated to assessing the operational application of the Electoral Act provisions affecting PWD participation," Epelle stated.
Increasing PWD Participation but Challenges Remain
According to INEC’s official data, 2,629,025 voters are registered for the 2024 election, with 4,199 persons with disabilities making up a significant part of the electorate. This marks a notable increase in the engagement of PWDs since the last governorship election in 2020. Despite this progress, TAF Africa acknowledged that more work is needed to ensure seamless participation for voters with disabilities.
"While there has been an increase in PWD voter registration, the absence of PWD candidates remains a concern. None of the 17 political parties fielding candidates have nominated a person with a disability, which highlights ongoing underrepresentation in political leadership," Epelle added.
TAF Africa's Deployment Plan
As part of its commitment to electoral inclusivity, TAF Africa announced that it will deploy a team of 20 trained stationary observers across polling units with registered PWD voters. In addition, 5 roving media observers will monitor voting conditions across different regions of Edo State. These observers will assess INEC's compliance with the Electoral Act’s provisions (Section 54, Subsections 1 & 2), which mandate the provision of assistive tools for voters with disabilities.
The assistive tools required for PWDs include Braille Ballot guides for blind voters, magnifying glasses for persons with albinism, and written instructions for the deaf. TAF Africa's statement emphasized the importance of ensuring that these tools are available at the appropriate polling units, noting that previous elections had seen significant mismatches. For example, magnifying glasses were sent to polling units with blind voters, but without the corresponding Braille Ballot guides.
In a bid to enhance the efficiency of their observation efforts, TAF Africa has upgraded its election observer app. This cutting-edge technology will allow real-time data transmission from observers to TAF Africa’s PWD Election Hub, where it will be analyzed and displayed on an election monitoring dashboard. The app will enable TAF Africa to swiftly report any irregularities and ensure timely advocacy for the rights of voters with disabilities.
Pre-Election Observations and Key Concerns
TAF Africa has closely monitored the pre-election preparations and expressed concerns about several issues that could impact the participation of PWDs:
1. Underrepresentation of PWDs in Candidacy: While there has been an increase in PWD voter registration, no PWD candidates are contesting in the election. Only one female candidate is running, reflecting the broader underrepresentation of marginalized groups.
2. Misallocation of Assistive Tools: TAF Africa flagged a recurring problem from the 2023 off-cycle elections, where assistive tools were misallocated to the wrong polling units. The organization emphasized the need for INEC to deploy the right tools to the correct locations to avoid hindering PWDs from voting independently.
3. Voter Apathy and Security Concerns: With declining voter turnout in previous elections (from 32% in 2016 to 27% in 2020), TAF Africa highlighted the risks of voter apathy, particularly among PWDs. Security concerns, particularly fears of election-related violence, could also deter PWDs from going to the polls.
Recommendations for an Inclusive Election
To address these issues, TAF Africa provided several recommendations to INEC and other key stakeholders:
1. INEC should ensure early voting for PWDs, allowing them to avoid long queues and potential violence.
2. The electoral body must avoid mismatches in the distribution of assistive tools and ensure that polling units with registered PWD voters receive the correct support.
3. INEC staff should be briefed on inclusivity protocols, including priority voting and the use of assistive devices.
TAF Africa also called on political parties to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities, not just as voters but as candidates in future elections. Additionally, security agencies were urged to adhere strictly to the code of conduct for election security, ensuring the safety of all voters, particularly those with disabilities.
Conclusion
As Edo State prepares to vote for its next governor, TAF Africa reaffirmed its dedication to advocating for the rights of PWDs, ensuring that the election is inclusive and accessible. "We encourage all registered voters with disabilities to come out and exercise their right to vote. Your participation is crucial in ensuring that the leaders elected represent the interests of all, including persons with disabilities," Epelle urged.
With TAF Africa's technology-driven approach and on-ground observation teams, the organization is poised to play a vital role in ensuring that the 2024 Edo State governorship election is a significant step toward a more inclusive electoral process in Nigeria.