NGO: 75% of polling units with PWDs had no braille ballot guides

The election hub of the Albino Foundation Africa (TAF Africa) says there were no braille ballot guides in 75 percent of polling areas where persons with disabilities (PWDs) voted during the elections.

Jake Epelle, founder of the foundation, said there was a shortage of election materials and inadequate voting aids for PWDs.

Epelle said the shortage of electoral materials was reported in some polling centres in Nasarawa, while suspected thugs disrupted voting in parts of Rivers state.

He said 87 percent of voting areas had no magnifying glasses for persons with albinism, while 63 percent of polling centres had no large font graphic posters for the deaf.

“TAF Africa received reports of a shortage in the deployment of election materials, particularly in PU 121, 009 Nagis, PU 139 Angwan Soja Masaka, PU 001 Area 1 Masaka PU 141 Area 1, all in Nasarawa state,” the statement reads.

“TAF Africa observed the inadequate deployment of assistive tools at the polling units. From the observed polling units, 75% had no braille ballot guides for the visually impaired, 87% had no magnifying glasses for persons with Albinism and 63% had no large font graphic posters for the deaf.

“It is necessary to mention that TAF Africa’s initial findings are based on reports from two hundred and twenty-eight (228) sampled polling units and analyzed at 1:00 pm on election day. As the events of the day continue to unfold, additional information and updates will be provided subsequently.

“As of 11:40 am TAF Africa’s persons with disabilities election hub received a critical report of extreme violence from field observers. In Rivers state, Emohua local government area, Ogbakiri ward, Rumuada town hall polling unit, gunshots from thugs dispersed voters and INEC officials at the commencement of polls, leaving many voters injured. So far, no registered voter at the said polling unit has been able to exercise their civic rights due to the gunshots resulting in the absence of INEC officials.”

The foundation called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address issues of violence, inadequate assistive voting materials for PWDs and shortage of election material at polling centres during the elections.