By Lanre Oloyede
In another landmark move towards ensuring a more inclusive and just electoral process in Nigeria, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon Mohammed Abba Isa, has proposed some actionable solutions that, if implemented, can pave the way for a more inclusive and effective electoral process in the country.
These solutions included strengthening voter education programs, advocating for the Implementation of accessible voting infrastructure, promoting inclusive policy formulation, enhancing collaboration among stakeholders, monitoring and reporting on electoral processes.
Delivering a goodwill message Wednesday at the CSO Electoral Reform Summit hosted by Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) with Funding Support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in Abuja, Hon. Abba Isa noted that the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in shaping the nation’s electoral landscape cannot be overstated as their collective efforts serve as the backbone of democratic integrity, ensuring that the voices of the marginalized, including Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), women, and other vulnerable groups, are not only heard but actively engaged in the electoral process.
Represented by his Director Media and Communications, Lanre Oloyede, the Senior Presidential aide maintained that the inclusion of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process is not merely an act of charity; but a fundamental necessity for a truly representative democracy, stressing that electoral inclusion and participation of PWDs ensure that their unique perspectives and needs are incorporated into the legislative process, leading to policies that are more comprehensive and inclusive.
The SSAP emphasized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the political and electoral inclusion of all Nigerians, especially Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), adding that his administration recognizes that the strength of our democracy lies in its diversity and inclusivity.
The presidential aide, who lamented that PWDs often face significant barriers that hinder their full participation in the electoral process, highlighted these barriers to include lack of funding, physical accessibility issues, societal prejudices, and a lack of representation in elective and appointed positions.
According to him, to achieve true inclusivity, the electoral actors must:
1. Implement disability-friendly policies and infrastructure
2. Provide accessible voting systems and materials
3. Increase representation of PWDs in political offices
4. Support disability-focused organizations and initiatives
Hon. Abba Isa commended Inclusive Friends Association and its partners for their unwavering commitment to the pursuit of a more inclusive and just electoral process which he described as both commendable and necessary for the advancement of our democracy.
In her welcome address, the Executive Director of the Inclusive Friends Association, Grace Jerry outlined the summit’s key objectives to include:
• Enhancing collaboration among Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) involved in electoral reforms, ensuring their efforts are aligned and coordinated.
• Addressing emerging issues in electoral reforms, particularly around security, electoral processes, and the judiciary with special attention is given to challenges faced by youth, women, and people with disabilities. And;
• Developing actionable solutions that promote a more inclusive and effective electoral process, ensuring comprehensive reforms.
According to her, these set objectives are both ambitious and necessary as they reflect a deep understanding of the current challenges in Nigeria’s electoral system and a commitment to making the process more inclusive, transparent, and effective.
In his opening remarks at the CSO Electoral Reform Summit, Mr. Jide Ojo, IFA’s board member, emphasized the summit’s purpose: to foster collaboration among CSOs engaged in electoral reforms, ensuring our efforts are coordinated and impactful.
He also highlighted the importance of open discussions on the Electoral Act reforms, addressing the gaps in its implementation. This is essential for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and promoting inclusive elections.
According to the organizers, the summit was organized to improve coordination and align electoral reform priorities around broader political inclusion among the civil society community as the discussion was focused on tackling emerging electoral reform issues and driving progress towards inclusive elections in Nigeria.
Also speaking in a panel session, Publisher of Qualitative Magazine, Mr Chris Agbo, advocated for specialized training for security personnel covering elections to ensure the right approach to guaranteeing the safety and protection of PWDs during elections.
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