TAF-Africa, an International INGO, on Saturday commended the Independent National Electoral Commission and security operatives for conducting a credible and peaceful governorship election in Kogi State.
TAF Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, Jake Epelle, gave the commendation during a news conference in Lokoja.
At the event on Saturday, Epelle, who was represented by Uche Enyioha, said the organisation’s observers across Kogi State reported that 80 percent of Persons with Disabilities were allowed to exercise their priority voting rights during the poll.
He said: “TAF Africa is also impressed that even in Imo, 75 percent of them participated while Bayelsa State recorded 67 percent participation.
“All these feat was largely due to the assistive tools such as braille ballot guide, EC30E PWD Posters, and Magnifying Glass reportedly deployed in 77 percent of the 30 polling units we deployed observers in Kogi.
“They (tools) were deployed at 67 percent in Bayelsa, while in Imo State, assistive tools were deployed at a percentage of 55 out of the 30 polling units.
“So far, no polling unit with registered persons with disabilities has reported any major case of violence in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States.
“On this premise, TAF Africa wishes to appeal to political parties and their supporters to stick to their commitment to a peaceful election and work to prevent their supporters from engaging in violence.”
The CEO also commended the PWDs communities for their show of strength and commitment toward the election, despite the incidences that occurred during February 25 and March 18 general election.
Epelle added: “It is necessary to mention that TAF Africa’s initial findings are based on reports from 90 sampled polling units with registered persons with disabilities across the three off-cycle states and analysed at 1pm Saturday.
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“TAF Africa will continue to observe the conduct of the gubernatorial and state assembly elections as it affects the participation of persons with disabilities across Nigeria.”
Epelle, however, called on security agencies, INEC, stakeholders, political parties and their ardent supporters to work together to ensure that the election was free, credible and remained peaceful to foster development.
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