TAF Africa is deploying a team of 150 trained observers across the three senatorial districts of Anambra State, strategically placed in polling units with the highest number of registered PWD voters to enhance their participation in the election. The deployment team also consists of 134 stationary polling unit observers and sixteen roving media observers who
TAF Africa is deploying a team of 150 trained observers across the three senatorial districts of Anambra State, strategically placed in polling units with the highest number of registered PWD voters to enhance their participation in the election.
The deployment team also consists of 134 stationary polling unit observers and sixteen roving media observers who will monitor the availability of assistive tools such as: Braille Ballot Guides for blind voters, magnifying glasses for voters with albinism and Form EC 30E PWD for deaf voters.
In addition, they will also observe the level of compliance with priority voting rights for persons with disabilities, accessibility of polling units, attitude of polling officials toward PWDs, communication experience of deaf voters, and the overall experience of voters with disabilities at the polls.
Addressing the media on TAF Africa’s preparedness, its Chair, Mr Jake Eppele and Dr Amina Bala Zakari, Chair, PWD Election Hub, said the upgraded TAF Disability Hub mobile application has been redesigned to enhance user interface (UI), user experience (UX), and functionality for improved performance, real-time reporting, and data accuracy.
“Through this app, observers will transmit verified information to the PWD Election Hub, where data will be aggregated, analysed, and displayed on a live Election Monitoring Dashboard for timely decision-making. The dashboard is available for use by the Public and can be accessed via https://electionhub.org.ng/.
“The app’s prominent citizen reporting feature, The Third Eye, empowers every Nigerian to act as a defender of democracy by reporting, in real time, any incident that affects persons with disabilities, including accessibility challenges, intimidation, or denial of rights. The app is available for download on both the Play Store and App Store.
Enhancing Communication Access for Deaf Voters
“To address the persistent communication barriers faced by deaf voters, TAF Africa, in partnership with INEC, has trained and will deploy 25 sign language interpreters to polling units with the highest concentration of deaf voters across Anambra State. Their presence at these polling units will ensure that deaf voters can receive instructions, interact with polling officials, and cast their votes independently and confidently.
“This initiative represents a major step forward in providing adaptive communications, thereby deepening electoral accessibility for the deaf community in Nigeria. The intervention is being piloted at the state level, and insights from its implementation will inform a post-election report that will provide INEC with practical guidance toward the national adoption of sign language interpretation as a standard feature of Nigeria’s electoral process.
“TAF Africa strongly appeals to all political actors, security agencies, and citizens of Anambra State to uphold peace, tolerance, and non-violence during the election, in line with the peace accord signed by the candidates. Violence and insecurity not only undermine the credibility of the electoral process but also disproportionately affect persons with disabilities, many of whom face additional mobility, sensory, and communication barriers during crises.
“We urge communities, traditional institutions, political parties, and voters to prioritise peace and inclusivity. A calm and orderly election day will guarantee that every voter, especially those with disabilities, can safely and freely exercise their right to vote.
“The participation of persons with disabilities in electoral processes is a defining measure of democratic maturity and inclusiveness. Through the PWD Election Hub, TAF Africa continues to champion an inclusive democracy, one that guarantees persons with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully, freely, and with dignity in choosing their leaders.
“All TAF Africa’s interventions for the 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election, including the PWD Election Hub, the Third Eye, and the deployment of sign language interpreters, are made possible with funding support from the European Union through its European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) II Programme.
