Yiaga Africa, a leading election monitoring group, has urged Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve training for ad-hoc officials on disability provisions and to upgrade its electoral technology for optimal functionality.
The recommendation was contained in a report titled Process and Results Statement on the 2024 Ondo State Governorship Election, made available to Eleanzanews in Abuja, yesterday.
The group emphasized the need for INEC to prioritize ballot secrecy and enforce electoral guidelines, particularly those related to accessibility for voters with disabilities.
“Polling units should be set up to allow easy access for voters with disabilities, with magnifying glasses and braille ballot guides provided as needed,” the report stated.
Yiaga Africa also stressed the importance of completing Form EC 40H during every election to ensure proper documentation of disability-related interventions.
The report further called on state authorities to make public facilities more disability-friendly and urged security agencies to intensify efforts in arresting and prosecuting election offenders, particularly those involved in voter inducement and vote buying.
“Political parties and candidates must abandon the culture of impunity and refrain from practices that undermine the integrity of the electoral process,” the report added.
Yiaga Africa encouraged issue-based participation in elections and urged political parties to promote gender-inclusive leadership by electing women into key positions.
The monitoring group commended INEC for the timely commencement of polls and the availability of essential materials during the Ondo election.
It also praised the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) for ensuring a peaceful electoral process.
In a direct message to stakeholders, Yiaga Africa called for sustained efforts in voter education to enhance citizens’ understanding of democratic values.
It also urged APC candidate Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the declared winner of the election, and his supporters to be magnanimous in victory while encouraging political maturity and peace among all participants.
