TAF Africa Seeks More Recognition For Disable People 

By Philip Tayo 

The TAF Africa has sought for more recognition for the disabled people in the Country most especially during the time that elections are to be conducted. 

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The founder / CEO of the TAF Africa, Ambassador Jake Epelle made the above call on Sunday while addressing journalists during the TAF Africa post election press statement read by Jake Epelle on the 2024 Ondo State Governorship Election in the State.

According to the TAF Africa, it commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, regarding the just concluded Ondo governorship election held on the Friday 16 November across the 18 LGA’s of the State. 

Epelle while speaking further during the media interaction, implored the election  stakeholders in the Country to ensure full compliance with the electoral laws.

He called on the management team of the Country’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the electoral Acts by deploying all assistive tools including Braille Ballots Guide, magnifying glasses and Form EC 40H, in all polling units with registered PWDs in subsequent elections. 

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The group explains how important it is for the INEC to train its officials on how best to relate and prioritize the PWD’s welfare because they are part of the society and must not be segregated from exercising their voting rights.

He added the need for them to be allowed to play their role as members of the community. He also stressed the need to strengthened the training of election officials to prioritize the PWD voters during the 2024 governorship election.

Speaking further, the founder of the TAF Africa, Jake Epelle, explained “that there should be another way of curbing votes buying. He pointed out that one of the them is to strengthened measures to  curb vote buying, include enhanced monitoring and enforcement mechanism”. 

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The TAF Africa urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to always take cognizance to invest in public awareness, the redesign of polling infrastructure to guarantee accessibility for PWDs, including ballot boxes and pathways. 

TAF Africa also encourages mobilization and education effort to counter voter’s apathy, monitor and report on the compliance of electoral processes with disabilities inclusion. 

While stating the roles of media, he stressed that “media should scale up mainstreaming of disability inclusion in election coverage to spotlight challenges and successes of PWD’s voters and advocates for PWD’s participation in governance and electoral processes. 

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The founder of TAF Africa however tasked Nigerians to prioritize disability inclusion for future election. “As Nigerians preparers for future elections, we urged all stakeholders to prioritize disability inclusion, not as an afterthought but as a cornerstone for democratic integrity”, Ambassador Jake Epelle ended.

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