THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given pregnant women, aged people, the sick and persons living with disabilities (PLWDs) the priority to vote early in the ongoing Presidential and National Assembly elections.
As observed by The ICIR reporters, most voters who fall into the categories did not join queue and were allowed to cast their votes by the INEC adhoc staff.
In Polling Unit 001, Ward 11 of Obatiwajuoye Area 1, Offa Local Government Area, Kwara South, consideration was given to elderly persons, pregnant women, and PLWDs. Priority was also given to elderly persons, nursing mothers, and people with disabilities at Polling Unit 003, Ward 008 of OJumu Central 11 of Offa LGA.
Also, at Polling Unit 004, Ward 02 ALkhali Mustapha of Kotangora Local Government, Niger North, preference was given to elderly persons, pregnant women and nursing mothers to cast their votes.
Similarly, in Ajanaku LGA of Kogi State, priority was given to elderly, the disabled and pregnant women.
The ICIR observed that in Keffi LGA of Nasarawa State, elderly persons and PLWDs are being considered first by INEC adhoc staff.
It would be recalled that INEC had, on February 16, disclosed that it has taken congnizance of older persons and their peculiarities during a Media and CSO Roundtable on the 2023 Elections with the theme ‘Avoiding Landmines, Overcoming Obstacles and Conducting Credible Elections’.
He said “The pictures of elderly people you will agree with me that as you grow old, as you age, sometimes your features may start changing.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M