By David Onwuchekwa
TAF Africa, a non governmental organization, has been on intensive training of its hundreds of observers for the upcoming November 8 governorship election in Anamabra State.
The organization funded by the European Union assisted by a couple of other partners had one of such trainings in Nnewi North Local Government Area, Friday, where scores of the election observers to be deployed in Nnewi axis participated.
Speaking at the opening session, one of the facilitators and Senior Communication Officer of the group, Lynn Agwuncha said the essence of the training is to make sure that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) complies with the Section 54 (1,2) of the Electoral Act which allows priority voting for persons with disabilities.
She told the trainee observers that their duty posts had been designed for them to work at the polling units nearest to them. She said the assignment has been so designed to reduce stress for the observers at their duty posts.
“Discrimination against people with disabilities is an offense against the law. It is a provision in the Electoral Act and not a matter of pity. Every person with disability has the right to vote or be voted for and they should be given priority attention during the election.
“Persons with disabilities are among the most marginalized people and we fight to see that the stigma is done away with. They should be given the opportunity to fully participate in the election without hindrance of any kind, “she said.
She advised the trainees not to be in a hurry at their duty posts but to make sure that all the details of their job mandate are obtained to enable them give comprehensive reports.
The observers were instructed to report whatever challenge encountered in the field to one of the facilitators, Mr Jachimike Odibo for immediate action.
The observers were also instructed to be security conscious and report security breakdown to the appropriate quarters and to be secretive in doing so for their safety and to be sure of their reports, too.
“Be diligent in carrying out your duties and don’t see it as another opportunity to benefit from government funds. It is not so. Do the job with zeal and passion with national interest.
“Inclusion of people with disabilities is our greatest concern and that should be your objective for the assignment. You’re expected to cover where you will file in reports about the persons with physical disabilities. Some people look at persons with disabilities as those who cannot perform, that’s not true. The law allows them to vote or be voted for, “she added.
She spoke on violence and a whole lot of other issues that may arise during the election and how to handle such situations.
One of the Speakers who addressed the trainee observers on the nitty gritty of the assignment ahead are Senior Programme Assistant, TAF Africa, Mr George Anwayi who represented the Programme Manager, Adeolu Kilanko.
