The Albino Foundation’s CEO/Founder, Jake Epelle, and Lois Auta were invited to brief the Managing Director for the European External Action Service (EEAS) Africa, Ms.
TAF INVITED TO THE EUROPEAN EXTERNAL ACTION SERVICE (EEAS)
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Able2Vote Brings Continuous Voter Registration to Underserved Communities in the FCT
Democracy is strongest when every eligible citizen has an equal opportunity to participate in shaping the future of their country. Yet for many persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons (IDPs), access to electoral services remains constrained by displacement, poverty, inaccessible infrastructure, limited information, and other systemic barriers. As part of its Able2Vote initiative, TAF Africa, in partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and with support from the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme, continued its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) outreach across underserved communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The outreach reached two communities whose stories reflect the realities of exclusion faced by many vulnerable Nigerians. At Alheri Village, Yangoji in Kwali Area Council, TAF Africa engaged a community of persons with disabilities who have long experienced social and economic marginalisation. For many residents, limited access to public services and civic engagement opportunities has reinforced a sense of being overlooked. The engagement sought to change that narrative by bringing voter registration services closer to the community while reinforcing an important message: every citizen matters, and every vote has the power to shape governance. Through direct community mobilisation and voter education, participants were reminded that disability should never be a barrier to exercising their constitutional right to participate in democratic processes. The outreach also extended to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Wassa, home to displaced families from twelve states across Nigeria. Many residents have lived in displacement since 2014, uncertain of when—or if—they will ever return to their communities. Despite these difficult circumstances, their right to political participation remains unchanged. For residents of the camp, obtaining a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) represents more than electoral eligibility. It symbolises recognition, inclusion, and the opportunity to influence decisions that affect their lives and futures. By supporting Continuous Voter Registration within the camp, the Able2Vote initiative reaffirmed that displacement should never result in democratic exclusion. These engagements underscore a simple but powerful principle: inclusive democracy requires more than inviting citizens to participate—it requires taking democratic processes to those who face the greatest barriers. When electoral institutions and development partners intentionally remove obstacles to participation, they strengthen public trust, expand civic inclusion, and ensure that no one is left behind. TAF Africa remains committed to advancing disability-inclusive and accessible elections across Nigeria through strategic partnerships, community engagement, and sustained advocacy. With the continued collaboration of INEC and the support of the European Union under the EU-SDGN Programme, the Able2Vote initiative will continue to reach underserved communities, ensuring that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to register, vote, and make their voice count.
Taking Voter Registration to Those Often Left Behind in Kaduna and Benue
Long before election day, the tide of democracy is felt and whether it is able to carry everyone or not tells its strength or weakness. Ensuring that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to register to vote is a key marker of an inclusive democracy. For many persons with disabilities, particularly those living in underserved communities or displacement settings, the opportunity for participation is often limited by distance, accessibility challenges, inadequate information, or institutional barriers. Recognising these realities, TAF Africa expanded its Able2Vote initiative to support the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in communities where access remains a challenge. In June, TAF Africa mobilised persons with disabilities across Kaduna State and in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Benue state. This partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) extended voter registration support to these vulnerable groups under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme. Interacting with over 600 persons across both locations who came to be registered revealed that the issue is not the non-participation of vulnerable groups, but the deliberate efforts to cover the gaps that hinder full participation. Inclusion cannot depend on citizens overcoming barriers alone. Institutions must actively remove those barriers by taking services closer to the people. These engagements served as an opportunity to remind participants that political participation is their constitutional right regardless of disability or displacement. Through community mobilisation and direct engagement, TAF Africa reinforced the message that every citizen deserves an equal opportunity to influence decisions that shape their lives. Follow the #Able2Vote CVR outreach as we go to more communities within Nigeria.
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