The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has been commended for the significant improvement in making the polling units accessible to People With Disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
Speaking with Newsmen in Osogbo, Osun State capital on the Governorship Election, Chairman, Campaign for Equal Voting Access for Persons with Disabilities, Mr David Anyaele noted that PWDs and other vulnerable persons enjoyed priority at the PUs, while assistive devices such as Braille guides, shade and magnifying glasses were provided and a significant number of PUs were cited in accessible environments.
Mr Anyaele explained the assistive devices were seen at PU 8, Ward 10 0din-Oti LGA, and PU 4, Ward 10, Ede South LGA.
He also pointed out significant Polling Units were accessible to persons with physical disabilities, particularly in “PU 9 Ward 3, Boripe LGA; PU 10 Ward 4, Ijebu Ijesha; PU 7 Ward 3, Ijebu Ijesha LGA; PU 4 Ward 4, Ijebu Ijesha LGA, PU 04, Ward 4, Ede North LGA, PU 3 ward 5 in IIeogbo LGA. and PU 2, ward 9 in Aiyedire LGA”.
“These were good examples of how to make PUs accessible to physically challenged voters. Observation shows that INEC sited a significant number of PUs along the Roadside and dropped the ballot boxes on the floor, whilst a good number of other PUs were sited in building with access for those on wheelchairs.”
However, the EVAPWD boss expressed dissatisfaction with the non availability of some Polling Units notably, “P U 9, Ward 3 in Boripe LGA was not accessible as it was too high and filled with steps and grasses. Also, in PU 4, Ward 10, Ede South LGA, PU 8, Ward 5, Ede South, PU 8, Ward 10 in Odo- Otin, and PU 5, Ward in Osogbo were sited across gutters. Also not accessible is PU 2, Ward 9, and its environs in Aiyedire LGA, which were sited across gutters or in schools with steps and high pavements.
What this means is that voters with physical disability would struggle much more to cast their votes.”
He observed further that form “EC40H was readily available, but the knowledge of INEC ad-hoc staff around the use of this document remains weak, even as Voting Guides for the deaf in a significant number of the Pus were not seen”.
Mr Anyaele added that the PWDs were satisfied with the security provisions in each PU visited.
Adenitan Akinola
