President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured of his administration’s commitment to ensure that person with disabilities (PWDs) are not only participants in the electoral process but also leaders and decision-makers.
Tinubu, represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon Mohammed Abba Isa, said the inclusion of PWDs in the electoral process is not merely an act of charity, but a fundamental necessity for a truly representative democracy.
He said this in Abuja at the CSO Electoral Reform Summit organised by Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) with support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
According to him, electoral inclusion and participation of PWDs is to ensure that their unique perspectives and needs are incorporated into the legislative process, leading to policies that are more comprehensive and inclusive.
He noted that PWDs often face significant barriers that hinder their full participation in the electoral process.
He said these barriers include lack of funding, physical accessibility issues, societal prejudices, and a lack of representation in elective and appointed positions.
“To achieve true inclusivity, we must: Implement disability-friendly policies and infrastructure, Provide accessible voting systems and materials, Increase representation of PWDs in political offices and Support disability-focused organizations and initiatives.
“To Strengthen Voter Education Programs, we must intensify voter education campaigns that are accessible to all, particularly PWDs, These programs should be delivered in formats that accommodate various disabilities, such as braille, sign language, and easy-to-read materials. This will ensure that every citizen, regardless of their ability, can make informed decisions at the polls,” Isa who was represented by the Director, Media and Communications office of the SSA on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Lanre Oloyede said.
Also, Executive Director of IFA, Grace Jerry, said that PWDs, despite some efforts, still need more to be given on inclusion so that the little recorded gains would not be lost but be strengthened.
A Board member of IFA, Mr Jide Ojo said the gathering is a reminder of the vital role civil society organizations play in promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in our electoral system.
He said challenges faced by PWDs call for innovative solutions and robust partnerships, which we hope to cultivate through this summit.
“Over the course of the day, we will explore strategies to enhance voter education, promote inclusive participation, and advocate for reforms that will lead to more credible and fair elections,” Ojo said.
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