TAF Africa has lauded the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) for ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the local government election on Saturday, July 13.

The organisation also lauded security agencies for visibility in all the wards and polling units across the 25 local government areas.

Jake Epelle, the founder and Chief Executive OfficerCEO of the foundation, gave the commendation on Sunday in Asaba at a news conference while giving a final report on the Saturday election.

He said DSIEC adopted the lessons learnt from TAF Africa on ensuring the inclusiveness of PWDs in its electoral process. He added that the foundation deployed a team to observe the election closely, saying DSIEC made exceptional efforts to ensure a more inclusive and secure election environment.

He said, “We observed that adequate security was provided in all polling units visited and notably, no violence was recorded throughout the election. This ensured peaceful and orderly process, allowing voters to exercise their rights without fear.”

Mr Epelle, however, noted that there was low voter turnout owing to voter apathy occasioned by experiences from previous elections. He also said that some voters were disenfranchised due to the creation of new polling units without adequate sensitisation of the electorate.

The organisation urged DSIEC to investigate why elections could not be held in Koko 11, units 1,2 and 3 in Warri North LGA.

(NAN)