By Ovat Abeng
Ahead of the November 8, 2025 governorship election in Anambra State, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), The All Rights Foundation Africa, otherwise known as TAF Africa, has commenced sensitization campaign for the inclusion of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and other vulnerable persons in the electoral process.
The group said the inclusion of the PWDs in all the electoral processes for the election remained critical to the success of the exercise.
It was gathered that the group announced it commencement at a one-day sensitization programme tagged: “ABLE2VOTE-Voter Education Campaign to Reduce Voter Apathy and Promote the Mainstreaming of PWDs in electoral process.
The event was organised for PWDs operating under the banner of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra State Chapter.
Addressing participants at the event held in Onitsha (Anambra North Senatorial District), on Tuesday May 2025, the senior communication officer of TAF Africa, Lynn Agwuncha, said the sensitization programme also took place in Awka (Anambra Central Senatorial District) and Nnewi (Anambra South Senatorial District) respectively.
She said the sensitization campaign aim at boosting the moral of the PWDs and other vulnerable persons in the state to involved actively in the voting process without fear of stigmatization, harassment and intimidation.
According to her, “TAF Africa is in Anambra State today to commenced it advocacy campaign for the inclusion of PWDs in the upcoming November 8, 2025 governorship election.
“Our mission is to boost the moral of the PWDs and other vulnerable persons in the state for them to have the confidence to exercise their franchise freely during the voting proper and not to campaign in support of any political party.”
Agwuncha, appeal to all the participating political parties and their candidates in the election to also carry along Persons With Disabilities during their election campaigns.
In her remark, the Anambra State Resident Commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, while commending the group for organizing the programme, said the Commission under her watch has prepared to provide adequate arrangement for the participation of PWDs in the electoral process.
According to Mrs Awgu, who was represented by the Commission’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs Ugonma Julianna, the commission shall take reasonable steps to ensure that persons with disabilities, special needs and vulnerable persons are assisted at the polling units by providing suitable means of communication such as braille, large embossed print, electronic devices, sign language interpration or off-site voting, where necessary.
“We will also ensure that the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise is acceptable to the PWDs.
She reaffirm INEC’s unwavering commitment towards disabilities inclusion in Nigerian Electoral System.
Speaking also at the event, the group’s Senior Programme Officer, George Anwayi, himself a PWD, lamented that with more than 30 million PWDs in Nigeria, and with 65 percent of the figure of voting age, majority of them “are subject of abuse, stigma, prejudice, and discrimination, many times from a young age.”
According to him, the purpose of the programme was “To sensitize Persons with Disabilities on their rights and need to participate in the electoral process and to advocate for deliberate action towards enhancing their inclusion in elections to achieve a strengthened democratic process at the Grassroots in Anambra State.”
Anwayi added that the United Nations (UN), had, as far back as 2011, affirmed that “Political participation is a fundamental aspect of democratic governance, the rule of law, social inclusion and human rights approaches aimed at eliminating marginalisation and discrimination”, lamenting that notwithstanding, PWDs were still discriminated against during elections.
“The INEC Framework on Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Electoral Process, is a comprehensive policy initiative by Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission. It aims to ensure the full and active participation of PWDs in all aspects of the electoral process.
“This initiative is guided by both international and domestic legal instruments, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Nigerian Constitution.
The framework outlines specific objectives and strategic actions, such as enhancing INEC’s inclusivity, developing accessible electoral facilities, and encouraging PWDs’ participation across the electoral cycle. It emphasizes collaboration with stakeholders, including PWD organizations, civil society and the media to address barriers faced by PWDs and promote a more inclusive electoral environment in the country.
Anwayi used the event to also informed INEC that the current voter register doesn’t account for persons with disabilities who where registered before 2022.
He therefore canvassed that to eliminate the impediments, INEC should “Create separate register for PWDs. PWDs should assist with data collection and provision and distribution of assistive devices. Indicate disability type on PVCs. PWDs to be involved in the check of the voter register before the election. PWDs to mobilize themselves and engage INEC on their needs.”
In his remarks, the immediate past Chairman of JONAPWD, in the state, Comrade Laurence Nwamonuwe, assure TAF Africa of their full support in Anambra State.
Nwamonuwe, appeal to the organisers to extend the sensitization campaign to the grassroot to enable those at the rural areas to also benefits from the teachings.
Contributing during the panel discussion segment of the event, a Civil Society representative in the state, Mrs Ugochi Mgbhuruike, called on members of the JONAPWD to cooperate with TAF Africa and INEC in its bid to ensure that PWDs had seamless electoral experience during the November 8 gubernatorial election in the state.