TAF Africa, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has praised the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) for including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the local government election held on Saturday, July 13. The organisation also commended security agencies for their visible presence across all wards and polling units in the state’s 25 local government areas.
Jake Epelle, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa, gave the commendation during a news conference on Sunday in Asaba, presenting the final report on the election.
“DSIEC adopted the lessons learnt from TAF Africa on ensuring inclusiveness of PWDs in its electoral process,” Epelle said. He added that the foundation had deployed a team to observe the election closely, noting that DSIEC made exceptional efforts to ensure a more inclusive and secure election environment.
“We observed that adequate security was provided in all polling units visited, and notably, no violence was recorded throughout the election. This ensured a peaceful and orderly process, allowing voters to exercise their rights without fear,” Epelle said.
However, he noted that voter turnout was low due to apathy stemming from experiences in previous elections. He also mentioned that some voters were disenfranchised due to the creation of new polling units without adequate sensitisation of the electorate.
The organisation urged DSIEC to investigate why elections could not hold in Koko II, units 1, 2, and 3 in Warri North Local Government Area.
The foundation’s Programmes Manager, Mr. Adeolu Kilanko, stated, “Voter apathy can pose a significant threat to the democratic system. The low voter turnout in the election reflects a trend of disenchantment among the electorate. For PWDs, the impact is even more pronounced, potentially leading to further marginalisation of their voices.”
TAF Africa’s Senior Communication Manager, Ms. Lynn Agwuocha, also lauded DSIEC for its strides toward an inclusive electoral process. Agwuocha reiterated the foundation’s commitment to advocating for the rights and inclusion of PWDs, aiming for a more inclusive and participatory democratic process in the country.
