“During the 2016 Edo election, some of our observers were attacked in course of carrying out their mandates, the reason we’re stationing them in their various wards and LGAs”.
This and many other issues were raised by the IFA Executive Director, Grace Jerry during an advocacy meeting to the State Commandant, NSCDC, Everestus Obiyo at the State command office on Tuesday 2nd October 2021 in Awka Anambra State.
While engaging the state Commandant, she made known the organization’s preparedness to observe the Saturday election by deploying stationary observers to observe the provisions of the Independent National Electoral Commissions (INEC) including the accessibility of voting locations, brail ballot guides, polling unit set up, among others.
“We’re here in Anambra to carry out an accessibility audit of PWDs participation in the electoral process. We’re also carrying the study in the 21LGAs in the state.
“We’re deploying 200 PWDs stationary observers who will be observing the election. They’ll be observing, documenting, and reporting to the data center we’ve set up the various INEC provisions, including ensuring accessibility of voting locations, brail ballot guides, polling unit set up.
“The audit is targeted at addressing the barriers that limit the participation of PWDs in an election because we want increased participation among our members”.
First Right, Grace Jerry (IFA Executive Director) and Everestus Obiyo (NSCDC State Commandant Anambra)
“We’re also engaging security agencies to ensure the lives and rights of PWDs, including the 200 observers are secured. During the 2016 Edo election, some of our observers were attacked in course of carrying out their mandates, the reason we’re stationing them in their various wards and LGAs”.
An emphasis on the need to fasten security covers at pulling units, Jerry reiterated the rapid increase in elections participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) against the voter apathy experienced years back due to obvious barriers to which the Access Nigeria Campaign was initiated to neutralize such barriers.
“We have over 31m PWDs across the country who could not be involved in the election process in the past. Those who had time had to defy the odds. But with our increased advocacy, we can now boast of increased participation partly because the obvious barriers are being addressed”.
Responding to the call, State Commandant, NSCDC, Everestus Obiyo assured IFA of adequate provision of security especially to the disability community throughout the election.
“We’re not unmindful of the peculiarities of your situation. We’ll try our best to partner with you, especially to ensure your safety is guaranteed,” he assured.
