By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

The importance of ensuring a seamless process to enable persons with disabilities (PWD) vote in Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo has been emphasised.

 A non-profit organisation,  Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), alongside key invited stakeholders, advocated for this at a pre-election press conference in Akure, focused on enhancing the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the Ondo State Governorship election on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

The Executive Director of IFA, Mrs Grace Jerry, in her address, urged INEC to make polling units accessible to persons with disabilities by using flat-surfaced venues.

Mrs Jerry, who was represented by the Director of Programmes, Molly Joshua, added that priority should be given to PWDs by allowing them to vote upon arrival at the polling units. She also recommended that braille ballot guides be made available and categorised as sensitive materials.

“INEC Form EC 30E for PWDs should be available on Election Day, and written instructions should be posted in a visible location to help PWDs understand what is required of them before voting.

“INEC ballot boxes should be positioned where they are easily accessible to voters with disabilities, enabling them to cast their ballots independently.

“INEC should continue to engage and collaborate with the disability community, including IFA, to identify areas needing improvement for a more inclusive and accessible electoral process,” she stated.

Mrs Jerry said that the NGO, with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), urged the electoral body to address stigma and stereotypes that undermine the participation of PWDs in elections.

According to her, it is clear that persons with disabilities are determined to participate in the country’s electoral and political process if there is an enabling environment.

She added, “Security agencies should prioritise the safety of PWDs, protecting them from intimidation or violence, while the media should report prominently on PD’s participation during the election period and include sign language interpreters in broadcasts during result collation.”

Other stakeholders, including security agencies, the media, civil society organisations, and PWD representatives, jointly advocated for electoral support at the polls by creating an enabling environment for persons with disabilities.

The Executive Director of IFA, Mrs Grace Jerry, represented by Molly Joshua, had earlier paid an advocacy visit to the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, in Akure yesterday.

In response, the REC commended IFA’s efforts and stated that INEC had trained qualified ad hoc staff to ensure a level playing field for all participants in the political process.