With the Anambra State governorship election on the horizon, TAF Africa, a leading Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has expressed deep concern over the persistent barriers limiting the active participation of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Speaking at a voter education campaign in Nnewi, Anambra State, which drew over 400 participants, the organisation pointed to the absence of a comprehensive legal and structural framework as a major impediment to inclusive electoral participation. TAF Africa highlighted how PWDs continue to face abuse, discrimination, and humiliation during elections — a trend that undermines their rights and dignity as equal citizens.
The group also emphasised that limited voter education among PWDs has contributed significantly to voter apathy, poor representation, and a lack of inclusion in the voter register. These challenges, they argued, continue to affect the socio-economic empowerment and political visibility of the disability community.
In an interview, Mr. Kilanko Adeolu, Programme Manager at TAF Africa, acknowledged that existing laws such as the amended 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act provide for equal participation in elections. He also noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has introduced guidelines aimed at ensuring greater inclusion of PWDs. However, he lamented that implementation remains weak and inconsistent.
To address these issues, Kilanko called on INEC to prioritise the registration and participation of PWDs, ensure their unrestricted access to polling centres, and provide targeted incentives to improve representation. He also stressed the need for sustained voter education, effective security measures, and the guarantee that the votes of PWDs are not only cast but also counted.
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