The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, October 24, 2021, announced to pilot the November 6 gubernatorial elections in Anambra State with the use of a braille ballot to aid the blind vote independently. This was made known by the INEC’s Anambra Residential Commissioner Dr. Nwachuku Orji through the state INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Samuel Nimem during a voter sensitization program held in Awka.
Speaking at the sensitization program tagged “Understanding the Braille Ballot Guide”, Nimem maintained that the commission is committed to ensuring that the blind can independently make decisions of preferred candidates during elections.
He said, “This program is to ensure that the blind voters who can read braille language will be able to make informed decisions as to their preferred candidates on the election day”.
Mr. Samuel Nimem T. HOD. Voter Education and Publicity VEP) Anambra State
“With the braille ballot, visually impaired persons do not need a guide to interpret or help them to thumbprint, which has been the challenge in the past”.
To recall, the braille ballot was first deployed during the off-cycle gubernatorial elections of Osun State in 2018 following consistent evident-based advocacies by the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) in her Access Nigeria Campaign. The campaign seeks to improve the inclusion and participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process of Nigeria.
