The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and the Situation Room have identified accessibility gaps affecting persons with disabilities (PWDs) during the Osun governorship election.
Gatekeepers News reports that the organisations presented an accessibility report assessing the conduct of the election and the extent to which polling units accommodated the needs of PWDs.
Christiana Njoku, a CCD representative who monitored the election across selected polling units, said the exercise revealed several challenges, particularly regarding access to polling facilities.
According to the report, some polling units were inaccessible to persons with disabilities, potentially limiting their ability to participate fully in the electoral process.
The CCD also reported the absence of Form EC40H, which is used to document voters with disabilities who require assistance during voting.
The form was reportedly unavailable at Olorunda Local Government Area, Agowande Ward, Polling Unit 20, BCGA 003, as well as the Agowande Ward open-space polling unit in Ajibade.
Despite the identified gaps, the CCD noted some positive measures recorded during the election.
These included the provision of canopies, priority voting for PWDs and elderly persons, signage for people with hearing impairments, and the presence of security personnel at polling units.
The centre called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen its oversight and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that polling units are accessible to persons with disabilities.
It also urged the electoral body to ensure that essential materials and provisions for PWDs, including Form EC40H, are consistently available during elections.
The CCD said it remained committed to working with relevant stakeholders to promote citizens’ participation, particularly among persons with disabilities, and to support initiatives aimed at protecting and strengthening democratic processes in Nigeria.
