By Saheed Ibrahim

The Association of the Blind in Ondo State has raised concerns over the lack of adequate provisions for visually impaired voters in the recent gubernatorial election held on November 16, 2024.

Despite efforts by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promote inclusivity, the association noted significant gaps in accessibility, which hindered the participation of blind voters.

In a statement by the association’s Chairman, Akilo Mathew and its Public Relations Officer, Nasirudeen Oladele, the Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB), Ondo State chapter, highlighted the absence of Braille ballot guides in many polling units.

This issue, they said, left many visually impaired voters dependent on aides to cast their votes, compromising their privacy and independence.

“The absence of Braille guides is a major setback for inclusivity. It denies us the opportunity to vote independently and in secrecy,” Oladele remarked.

Evan Idowu, Secretary of NAB and General Secretary of the Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Ondo State, echoed similar sentiments.

The association also expressed worries over breaches of voter privacy. stating that without Braille guides, visually impaired voters had to rely on aides to mark their ballots, making them vulnerable to privacy violations.

“At Unit 29, Ward 8, Oke Aro, a visually impaired voter, Temitope Mustapha, was denied entry with her aide, further illustrating the systemic challenges faced by blind voters during the election process,” the statement reads.

NAB, however, said despite these challenges, there were instances where inclusivity measures were implemented effectively.

The association called on INEC to address these shortcomings and implement comprehensive measures to ensure full inclusivity in future elections.