Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pledged to do more in the improvement of its operations and system to give more access to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to participate in future elections.
Habiba Datto from the Kwara State office and Olaniyi Muideen, who is the Disability Desk Officer of the commission, made the pledge during a virtual inception workshop for a research project entitled, ‘Political Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria’s General Elections (1999-2023)’.
The INEC officials described the effort to include more PWDs in the process as work in progress, adding, “We will continue to do more. INEC is ready to partner genuine individuals and groups.”
The study was led by a team from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, and Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, with the Head of the Political Science Department, Dr Damilola Agbalajobi, as the Principal Investigator.
According to Agbalajobi, the research examines how changes to electoral laws and frameworks encourage the inclusion and participation of PWDs in Nigeria’s elections. He added, “It explores other barriers that have hindered their effective participation since the return to democracy in 1999.
‘’The primary objective of the workshop is to engage with key stakeholders involved in disability-inclusive elections. Your input and feedback are vital in developing relevant research questions and methodologies. Your contribution will significantly enrich the discussions and the overall research project.”
Dr Oyeyemi Babalola, who led the research team, gave the overview of the project. Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of OAU, Prof Adebayo Bamire, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Development), Prof Akanni Akinyemi, stated the importance of bringing stakeholders together, rather than just conducting research without involving the policy actors.
Various speakers and groups at the webinar called on INEC to improve the participation of PWDs in the electoral process. Chairperson of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Lagos State, Mobalarinwa Salami, remarked that there should be inclusion in all spheres and affirmation action for PWDs. PWD chairman in Kwara State, Kehinde Araoye, and Samson Ogowewo of Delta State Better Living Standard toed the same line.
