MONITORING CHECKLIST FOR INCLUSIVE AND

ACCESSIBLE ELECTORAL PROCESS

Facilitated by

HUMAN AND ORGANISATIONAL RESEARCH

DEVELOPMENT CENTER

.

A Monitoring Checklist prepared for the planning and

implementation of inclusive and accessible political

and electoral policies, programmes and activities

Developed by

The Joint National Association of Persons with

Disabilities (JONAPWD) and Disability Policy and

Advocacy Initiative (DPAI) at a one-day Review and

Validation Workshop on advocacy for Inclusive and

Accessible Electoral Process for Persons with

Disabilities in Nigeria.

Held at

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

Headquarters, FCT, Abuja.

13th November, 2014.

Facilitated by

Human and Organizational Resources Development

Centre (HORDC)

with the support of

Abuja Office of State Accountability and Voice

Initiative (SAVI) of the DFID, UK,

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC),

International Republican Institute (IRI) and

National Democratic Institute (NDI)

© JONAPWD & DPAI, November, 2014

This document may be reproduced in any accessible formats and circulated through any

medium strictly for public use with adequate reference to the Publishers, Joint National

Association for Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Nigeria & Disability Policy and Advocacy

Initiative (DPAI), Nigeria.

No part or whole of this document shall be reproduced for commercial purposes without the

permission of its Publishers, JONAPWD & DPAI.

This document may be downloaded from the websites of JONAPWD, DPAI and its Development

Partners.

Disclaimer

The content of this document does not represent the views of any of the organizations (DFID-

SAVI, IRI, NDI and NHRC) which provided support for the processes leading to its making and

publishing.

Contributors

This document was facilitated and edited by Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, Director General, HORDC

and Director, Research & Programmes, Disability Policy Advocacy Initiative (DPAI).

Graphic designs and illustrations were provided by Emmanuella Akinola, Social Inclusion

Consultant and Director of Communications, Disability Policy Advocacy Initiative (DPAI).

Additional graphic materials and editorial support was provided by Ms. Abimbola Junaid,

Executive Director, Arise Nigerian Women.

November, 2014.

Table of Content

SN TITLE PAGES

1. Acknowledgement 5

2. List of Abbreviations 6

3. Users Guide 7

4. Background 7

5. Purpose 8

6. Target Users 8

7. General Instructions 8

8. General Inclusion and Accessibility Requirements

11

9. Specific Disability Inclusion and Accessibility Requirements

14

Acknowledgement

JONAPWD strongly acknowledges that this Monitoring Checklist is a reviewed and adapted

version of the earlier document produced at a one-day Southwest Stakeholders Forum on

Advocacy for Inclusive and Accessible Electoral Process organized by Disability Policy and

Advocacy Initiative (DPAI) and the Lagos State Civil Society Partnership (LACSOP) with the

support of the Lagos office of DFID-SAVI, held at Ibadan on May, 12th 2014.

We acknowledge that relevant text and graphics were extracted from credible documents

including the CRPD, ADA Checklist for Polling Places, etc to ensure that this document meets

with international standards.

JONAPWD appreciates the support received from the Abuja national office of DFID-SAVI, the

national Headquarters of NHRC, IRI and NDI respectively in organizing the National Review and

Validation Workshop, which led to the production of this Monitoring Checklist.

The Association also acknowledges the technical support provided by HORDC through the

entire process in the making of this Monitoring Checklist.

We are equally very grateful to Dr. Adebukola Adebayo who led the team of Facilitators and

Researchers including Barrister Ayo Adebusoye, Barrister Daniel Onwe, Ms. Abimbola Junaid,

Mrs. Emmanuella Akinola, all of whom made tremendous inputs in the drafting of this

document.

We sincerely appreciate all members of DPAI, LACSOP and JONAPWD who sacrificed time and

intellect to initiate the process all the way from the Desk Review conducted in Lagos, through

the Southwest Stakeholders Forum in Ibadan, to the National Review and Validation Meeting in

Abuja.

We are hopeful that this Checklist will stimulate relevant positive changes in Nigeria’s electoral

process to enhance inclusion and access for PWDs.

Ms. Ekaete Judith Umoh

National President, JONAPWD

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act

CRPD: Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities

CSOs: Civil Society Organizations

DFID: Department for International Development

DPAI: Disability Policy and Advocacy Initiative

DPOs: Disabled People's Organizations

HORDC Human and Organizational Resources Development Centre

INEC: Independent National Electoral Commission

IRI: International Republican Institute

JONAPWD: Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities

LACSOP: Lagos State Civil Society Partnership

NDI: National Democratic Institute

NHRC: National Human Rights Commission

PWDs: Persons with Disabilities

SAVI: State Accountability and Voice Initiative

UK: United Kingdom

UN: United Nations

Users Guide

Background

Inclusion is the acceptance of all people regardless of their differences. It is about appreciating

people for who they are because even though we are all different, we are one. Inclusion allows

people to value differences in each other by recognizing that each person has an important

contribution to make to our society (Shafik Abu-Tahir as cited in Dattilo, 2002, p. 26).

Democracy becomes fully participatory only when there is equal, free and fair opportunity for all citizens to participate in the social, economic and political space. According to OpenIdeo, "Democracy (participatory governance) is either direct or indirect. Direct democracy refers to a form of democracy in which the people themselves, rather than elected representatives, determine the laws and policies by which they are governed. In this system, public opinion is expressed directly in Assemblies or general meetings. All the adult citizens have the right to participate in the meetings of the Assembly where all the laws are passed, taxes are assessed, and appointments to execute the decisions taken in the Assembly are made.

Indirect democracy refers to "representative democracy," under which the people elect representatives empowered to create laws and policies. Ideally, the laws and policies enacted by the elected representatives in a representative democracy reflect the will of the people. Since the modern states are much larger in size and population, it is not possible for all the citizens to participate directly in the affairs of the state. Under this system, people elect their representatives for a period who run the administration. Indirect democracy has been established in almost all the modern states.

Democracy - Participatory governance: Inclusive elections explain globally that democracy

means involving all in decision making. For elections to be inclusive all strata of populations

must be involved in the electoral phases and the electoral system must ensure all measures are

put in place (assistive technologies, transportation means etc) to facilitate the involvement of

every eligible voter (irrespective of geography, ability or disorders - hearing, visual,

cognitive/language, physical, seizure and multiple impairments; aged, mobile personnel as

soldiers etc) to partake in the electoral process."

(www.openideo.com/challenge/voting/inspiration/democracy-participatory-governance-

inclusive-elections)

To achieve inclusive and accessible electoral process in Nigeria, the Election Management Body,

political parties and other stakeholder need to engage with network of DPOs such as JONAPWD

to:

make relevant input into processes of policy design, planning and implementation;

Provide support in the area of capacity-building

Serve as channel for effective dissemination of information to PWDs; and

Mobilize PWDs to effectively participate in all political and electoral activities.

There are no legislative and/or policy frameworks in Nigeria which comprehensively provides

for the inclusion and access of PWDs in the electoral process. Accordingly, this Monitoring

Checklist is substantially based on the views and experiences of PWDs selected from the six (6)

major disability clusters: blind, deaf, intellectual disabilities, spinal cord injured, physical

disabilities and persons affected by leprosy respectively. Views and experiences of other

stakeholders in the electoral process including the Independent National Electoral Commission,

the Media, mainstream CSOs and political parties were also considered. Key inputs were also

drawn from relevant international statute documents including the CRPD, ADA Checklist for

Polling Places among others.

Purpose

This Monitoring Checklist is developed as a tool to guide the mainstreaming of the inclusivity

and accessibility needs of PWDs in the design, planning and implementation of electoral laws,

policies, programmes and activities, as well as buildings, materials, technologies, audiovisuals,

publications and documents, etc used for the conduct of elections in Nigeria.

Target Users

This Monitoring checklist is prepared for all stakeholders in the electoral process. They include

but not limited to:

The Election Management Body (in this case, Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC);

Security Agencies;

All public institutions involved in the electoral process;

Political Parties;

Disabled People’s Organizations;

Civil Society Organizations;

Media Organizations

General Instructions

This Checklist may be used before, during and after elections by relevant personnel of

concerned organizations, to monitor and/or evaluate how their roles and activities in

the electoral process affect PWDs as well as identify specific inclusivity and accessibility

needs of PWDs peculiar to their operational and programmatic designs.

Individuals completing the checklist do not necessarily need to be experienced in

evaluating technical details of inclusion and access for PWDs such as buildings and

facilities for accessibility. Rather, the narrative descriptions and graphic illustrations will

serve as guide.

While maintaining strict preference for international best practices in line with the

CRPD, this Checklist takes into cognizance, the low level of knowledge, technological

and infrastructure development of Nigeria with regard to disability inclusion and

accessibility. As such, adaptive methods of achieving inclusion and access are illustrated.

The Checklist is organized in two sections. The first section deals with general (cross-

cutting) issues, which affect all PWDs irrespective of their peculiar disabilities.

The second section identifies specific needs of each of the disability groups.

Before an organization is evaluated, it is useful for users to review the instructions for

using the checklist and become familiar with the questions. It is also helpful to practice

taking measurements and recording information before beginning the evaluation.

A few simple tools are required to conduct a survey using this Checklist especially in

measuring sizes and slope of specific elements and spaces:

(i) metal tape measure at least 15-feet long level with a bubble measure or a digital

measure at least twenty-four inches long for measuring slope;

(ii) copy of the checklist (one copy per organization), clipboard, and pens or pencils;

(iii) film or digital camera to document important areas that may need to be

reviewed later. Any camera may be used to shoot photographs but one with a

flash is most useful, particularly when indoor photos are needed.

The checklist is designed to prompt users on what to look at and where to measure. All answers and notes should be recorded on the checklist for use later in the planning process. When completed, the checklist should provide an indication of the level of disability inclusion and accessibility in the operations and programmes of the organization. If photographs are taken during the survey, it is helpful to note on the checklist that a photo was taken for later review of particular elements, spaces, or conditions.

One person can complete a survey of an organization, but it is often quicker and easier for two people to work together. One can be responsible for taking the measurements and the other for recording the information and taking any photographs.

For each checklist item, check either “yes” or “no.” If the item is not sufficiently available, or is presented in some other forms not in strict compliance with prescribed formats in this Checklist, or is not applicable to the organization under review, write the observed situation to the right ofthe question in the area under “Comments.” Add notes or comments as needed.

When completing the survey, it is important to try to answer every question in each section, unless, of course, the element is not present at the particular site under review.

Organizations may reproduce the two sections of this Checklist on a Spreadsheet and paste it on the notice boards of their relevant staff with a view to promote real time monitoring.

MONITORING CHECKLIST FOR INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE ELECTORAL PROCESS

GENERAL INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

SN PROVISIONS FOR INCLUSION/ACCESSIBILITY YES NO N/A COMMENTS

1. All relevant laws and policies which guide conduct of elections adequately provide for inclusion and accessibility for PWDs in line with the CRPD and other global best practices

2. All election stakeholders operate internally documented policy on inclusion and accessibility

3. Disability status of eligible voters with disabilities are properly captured during voter registration exercise and during party membership registration exercise respectively

4. Disability Desk is established to monitor effective mainstreaming of inclusive and accessibility practices and processes

5. Qualified PWDs are employed to manage established disability Desks

6. Proper training on how to attend to, and relate with all PWDs is provided for:

(i) Adhoc and permanent staff of INECthe Election Management Body;

(ii) Political party staff and officials; (iii) Security officials; (iv) Journalists and other media practitioners; (v) Election observers; (vi) PWDs, DPOs and CSOs.

7. Voter and civic education materials including media jingles are produced in inclusive and accessible formats to accommodate all disability needs and types

8. PWDs are invited to participate in (i) all voter and civic education

programmes; (ii) election stakeholders engagement

9. PWDs are given special considerations to participate as;

(i) voters; (ii) election observers; (iii) election candidates; (iv) election media analysts.

10. All infrastructure used in all stages of the electoral process are physically accessible to all PWDs. They include:

(i) polling units/centres; (ii) officesof the Election Management Body; (iii) Political party offices; (iv) Media offices; (v) Public buildings serving as government

offices; (vi) Places used as campaign and meeting

venues.

11. All buildings/venues, movable objects, voting materials, electoral officials and separate voting queue designated for PWDs are clearly marked and tagged for easy identification

12. PWDs are accompanied by persons of their choice to assist them participate in all electoral activities including:

(i) Voter and civic engagement meetings; (ii) Political party campaign; (iii) Voter registration; (iv) Voting/ballot casting.

13. Inclusive Election Information Clearing House and Communication Channels are opened to provide help and support to PWDs and DPOs

SPECIFIC DISABILITY INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

SN PROVISIONS FOR INCLUSION/ACCESSIBILITY

YES NO N/A COMMENTS

1. All electoral materials are properly captioned in simple language with proper illustrations. They include:

(i) Political campaign materials;

(ii) Voter and civic education materials;

(iii) Voting materials (including ballot papers and boxes)

2. Election/voting materials are properly captioned in simple language with proper illustrations

3. There is proper marking/labelling of the polling booth, registration desks and other significant places within and around the polling centre

4. Electoral officials are

properly trained (in simple sign language)to provide necessary assistance to deaf persons

5. Professional Sign LanguageInterpreters are provided at the final collation centre where final results of elections are announced.

A labeled polling station

6. Election/voting materials (ballot papers) are produced in Braille or tactile formats

7. There are no objects or

obstacles on walk ways leading to the polling booth and other immediate surroundings of the polling centre

8. Amputees (Persons without fingers and thumbs) are allowed to use their toes while those without either limbs are allowed to vote with the support of their chosen assistant

9. Gutters or drainages in and around polling units are properly covered with either wooding or concrete slabs to prevent falling

10. Wooding or concrete ramps are provided for wheel chair users to ensure easy accessibility

11. Accessible polling booth

which allow easy entry and exit for wheel chair users is used

12. Polling booth and registration tables are placed in very accessible locations

MONITORING CHECKLIST FOR INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE ELECTORAL PROCESS