Inclusivity/Gender
Edo 2024: Group Advocates Inclusive Electoral Process
Written By: Francis Ogbuagu
11 Jul 2024 07:24 AM
Benin, Edo – Non- Governmental Organization, NGO, All Rights Foundation Africa (TAF) a group at the forefront of the advocacy for the inclusion of Persons With Disabilities (PWD), on Wednesday said the inclusion of the PWDs in all the electoral processes for the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State remained critical to the success of the election.
The advocacy group in addition, harped that the implementation of all the electoral laws framed to enhance the participation of the PWDs in the Edo gubernatorial election, and other elections in the country must be fully implemented to halt the disenfranchisement of those set of Nigerians in the nation’s electoral system.
TAF Africa stated the positions at a one-day sensitisation programme tagged: “ABLE2VOTE-Voer Education Campaign to Reduce Voter Apathy to the Barest Minimum and Promote the Mainstreaming of PWDs in Electoral Process”, organised in Benin City, Edo State Capital for PWDs operating under the banner of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Edo State chapter.
Speaking at the event, the group’s Senior Programme Officer, George Anwayi, himself a PWD, lamented that with more than 30 million PWDs in Nigeria, and with 65 per cent of the figure of voting age, majority of them “are subject of abuse, stigma, prejudice, and discrimination, many times from a young age.”
According to him, the purpose of the programme was “to sensitize Persons with Disabilities on their rights and need to participate in the electoral process and to advocate for deliberate action towards enhancing their inclusion in elections to achieve a strengthened democratic process at the Grassroots in Edo State.”
Anwayi, added that the United Nations (UN), had, as far back as 2011, affirmed that “Political participation is a fundamental aspect of democratic governance, the rule of law, social inclusion and human rights approaches aimed at eliminating marginalisation and discrimination”, lamenting that notwithstanding, PWDs were still discriminated against during elections.
“The INEC Framework on Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Electoral Process, is a comprehensive policy initiative by Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission. It aims to ensure the full and active participation of PWDs in all aspects of the electoral process.
“This initiative is guided by both international and domestic legal instruments, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Nigerian Constitution.
“The framework outlines specific objectives and strategic actions, such as enhancing INEC’s inclusivity, developing accessible electoral facilities, and encouraging PWDs’ participation across the electoral cycle.
“It emphasizes collaboration with stakeholders, including PWD organizations and civil society, to address barriers faced by PWDs and promote a more inclusive electoral environment in Nigeria.
“The impracticability of the laws and policies brings to mind the gap between policy and practice. Laws granting voting rights do not automatically translate into accessible exercising of those rights in reality for PWDs without infrastructure provisions which reinforces exclusion.
“The lack of accessible physical facilities like transport, ramps, suitable voting booths etc. inadvertently excludes PWDs from equal participation. When systems are not explicitly mandated to be disability-inclusive, conscious or unconscious biases can prevail.” Anwayi further submitted.
He therefore canvassed that to eliminate the impediments, INEC should “Create separate register for PWDs. PWDs should assist with data collection and provision and distribution of assistive devices. Indicate disability type on PVCs.
“INEC to conduct sensitization at LGAs. PWDs to be involved in the check of the voter register before the election. PWDs to mobilize themselves and engage INEC on their needs.”
The advocacy group in addition, harped that the implementation of all the electoral laws framed to enhance the participation of the PWDs in the Edo gubernatorial election, and other elections in the country must be fully implemented to halt the disenfranchisement of those set of Nigerians in the nation’s electoral system.
TAF Africa stated the positions at a one-day sensitisation programme tagged: “ABLE2VOTE-Voer Education Campaign to Reduce Voter Apathy to the Barest Minimum and Promote the Mainstreaming of PWDs in Electoral Process”, organised in Benin City, Edo State Capital for PWDs operating under the banner of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Edo State chapter.
Speaking at the event, the group’s Senior Programme Officer, George Anwayi, himself a PWD, lamented that with more than 30 million PWDs in Nigeria, and with 65 per cent of the figure of voting age, majority of them “are subject of abuse, stigma, prejudice, and discrimination, many times from a young age.”
According to him, the purpose of the programme was “to sensitize Persons with Disabilities on their rights and need to participate in the electoral process and to advocate for deliberate action towards enhancing their inclusion in elections to achieve a strengthened democratic process at the Grassroots in Edo State.”
Anwayi, added that the United Nations (UN), had, as far back as 2011, affirmed that “Political participation is a fundamental aspect of democratic governance, the rule of law, social inclusion and human rights approaches aimed at eliminating marginalisation and discrimination”, lamenting that notwithstanding, PWDs were still discriminated against during elections.
“The INEC Framework on Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Electoral Process, is a comprehensive policy initiative by Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission. It aims to ensure the full and active participation of PWDs in all aspects of the electoral process.
“This initiative is guided by both international and domestic legal instruments, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Nigerian Constitution.
“The framework outlines specific objectives and strategic actions, such as enhancing INEC’s inclusivity, developing accessible electoral facilities, and encouraging PWDs’ participation across the electoral cycle.
“It emphasizes collaboration with stakeholders, including PWD organizations and civil society, to address barriers faced by PWDs and promote a more inclusive electoral environment in Nigeria.
“The impracticability of the laws and policies brings to mind the gap between policy and practice. Laws granting voting rights do not automatically translate into accessible exercising of those rights in reality for PWDs without infrastructure provisions which reinforces exclusion.
“The lack of accessible physical facilities like transport, ramps, suitable voting booths etc. inadvertently excludes PWDs from equal participation. When systems are not explicitly mandated to be disability-inclusive, conscious or unconscious biases can prevail.” Anwayi further submitted.
He therefore canvassed that to eliminate the impediments, INEC should “Create separate register for PWDs. PWDs should assist with data collection and provision and distribution of assistive devices. Indicate disability type on PVCs.
“INEC to conduct sensitization at LGAs. PWDs to be involved in the check of the voter register before the election. PWDs to mobilize themselves and engage INEC on their needs.”
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