The recent government elections in Nigeria have highlighted some of the challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in exercising their right to vote. In Oredo Local Government Area, several PWDs expressed difficulty in finding their polling stations during the Edo State governorship election. This situation reveals a lack of preparedness and accessibility for this significant segment of the population.
In the two wards observed by the News Agency of Nigeria correspondent, several voters with disabilities were unable to correctly locate their polling stations. Without fluency in English or Pidgin, some of them were left adrift in the wrong polling stations. Only by using their voter cards could these PWDs be redirected to the appropriate polling stations.
At George Idah Primary School, Ward 2, Oredo, a wheelchair-bound voter was present but was supposed to vote at a different polling station outside the school. Similarly, another PWD who was unable to communicate in English was found at Ward 4, Polling Station 19, Emokpia Primary School, although her voter card indicated that she was to vote at Idia College.
Reacting to the development, Ann Ojogu, President of the Edo State National Association of Persons with Disabilities, expressed regret at the challenges faced by the PWDs. She noted that the association had hoped that the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) would conduct voter education campaigns in the local dialects of the PWDs. She also regretted that the association had not been able to sensitize the various PWD communities due to financial constraints.
This situation highlights the importance of ensuring equitable accessibility to electoral processes for the entire population, including PWDs. It is essential that electoral authorities take measures to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their disability, can exercise their right to vote fairly and without obstacles. Awareness-raising and support mechanisms tailored to the specific needs of PWDs should be put in place to ensure full participation in the democratic life of the nation.