Chinedum Elekwachi
TAF Africa has advised 150 election observers specially trained to monitor participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Anambra state to be civil in course of their duties.
The group also called for sincerity among the observers, just as it urged PWDs to come out enmass to exercise their franchise as adequate arrangements have been made for their seemless participation in the exercise.
Speaking during the training funded by European Union, Senior Programme Officer, George Anwayi said the training was targeted at observing PWDs full participation as well as necessary provisions for them by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said, “We’re training 150 election observers across the 3 senatorial zones of the state who will be deployed to the field on election day.
“The aim is to observe participation of PWDs as well as provisions promised by INEC for them to participate without any form of barriers.
“Part of the training is to arm them on what they’re need to know and expected to do, observe and the technologies they will be using, including the hub app.
“As they observe and record the situation at the polling units, we’ll be receiving the reports real time at the dash board at our situation room called Disability Election Hub.
Sign language interpreters
Anwayi said, “Some of the trainees include sign language interpreters for ear impaired voters in 25 selected polling units.
“We’re optimistic INEC will keep to their promise by deploying necessary items, such as braille ballot guide, magnifying glasses, among others.
“We’ve been advocating disability inclusion and rights for PWDs and full implementation of the discrimination against PWDs provision Act.”
Acknowledging deployment of observers in previous elections across the country, Anwayi said the Anambra election would be unique in view of the numerical strength of the observers.
“We’ve deploying observers in previous elections, but Anambra is the first time we’re deploying such massive number.
“We’ve been making progress, as some of the PWDs challenges observed during elections have been addressed through our recommendations to relevant stakeholders.
“Because we’re having our eyes on the various players, all of them are always on their toes to ensure necessary provisions are made for PWDs.
“For example, INEC has included PWDs in its observers’ ad-hoc staff in the spirit of inclusion.
“We urge PWDs to come out in their numbers as everything is being put in place to ensure your seemless participation.
“Both INEC and security agencies have assured adequate preparations, including their security and priority voting.
Proper conduct matters
“For the trainees, be civil and report truthfully what they witnessed. Conduct yourselves well and don’t challenge anyone in course of your assignment. You’re there to observe and not correct,” he stressed.
Resource persons at the training included Programme Manager, Adeolu Kilanko who handled “Overview of TAF Africa’s Election Inclusion Strategy under the EU-SDGN II Programme” and Senior Communication Officer, Lynn Agwuncha who spoke on Security Tips and Personal Safety for Observers on Election Day.
