Stakeholders call for urgent electoral reforms to ensure full inclusion of Persons With Disabilities in Nigeria's political process.
Stakeholders have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to urgently overhaul its framework guiding the participation of Persons with Disabilities, PWDs, in Nigeria’s electoral process.
They cited the need to align with international standards and evolving realities.
The call was made on Wednesday, during a stakeholders’ meeting convened to review the 2024 Political Inclusion Index, a joint report by TAF Africa and the European Union.
Presenting key findings from the report, consultant Omojo Adaji, said the existing INEC framework, launched in 2018 and used in two election cycles, is overdue for revision.
Adaji explained, stressed that, “It will ensure compliance with international standards, integrate feedback from PWDs and other stakeholders, as well as enhance accessibility measures, making the electoral process more inclusive and user-friendly.”
The Political Inclusion Index assesses the compliance of electoral stakeholders, including INEC, political parties, the media, and security agencies with laws protecting the rights of PWDs.
One of the major recommendations is the introduction of disability quotas by political parties to guarantee representation of persons with disabilities in elective and appointive positions.
The report also urges the media to improve accessibility in their content through closed captions, audio descriptions, and sign language interpretation.
Highlighting security sector gaps, the report called for regular training of personnel on disability rights, especially given the frequent turnover of officers during election seasons.
Speaking at the event, Zissimos Vergos, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, described the report as a “tool to advance social justice,” and commended the growing achievements of PWDs in politics, culture, sports, and science.
“That progress represents the highest form of social justice,” Vergos said, expressing hope that the findings would also inform policy at the highest levels of governance.
On his part, Founder of TAF Africa, Jake Epelle, stressed the need for internal reforms within political parties.
“If they are not strong internally and democratically, we cannot be strong nationally or sub-nationally. Running an exclusive party structure is a sure way to be voted out,” he warned.
The report, compiled through a nationwide survey, engaged political parties, INEC, the media, and security forces, and was presented to political actors, civil society groups, the National Commission for PWDs, as well as leaders within the disability community.
Highlight of the session was a collective call for action to make Nigeria’s democracy more inclusive, equitable, and representative of all citizens.
About the Author
