PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ON THE PWD PARTICIPATION AND THE CONDUCT OF THE FEBRUARY 25, 2023, GENERAL ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA

The 2023 General Election is a high-stake election, one that is very consequential and pivotal in charting the course of democracy in Africa at large. With voting already underway across the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, TAF Africa through its first-ever Persons With Disabilities Election Hub has been closely observing the elections, specifically the participation of persons with disabilities. TAFAFRICA PWD ELECTION HUB deployed 700 trained and accredited observers who are currently collecting data on key processes as it relates to PWD participation in the election. TAFAFRICA’s observation of the 2023 General election has the objective of ascertaining the active and increased participation of persons with disabilities in the elections, as well as establishing if the election is inclusive, free, fair, credible, and reflects the supremacy of the electorates’ vote. TAFAFRICA PWD ELECTION HUB has also set up the first-ever election analysis hub for the review and assessment of key issues capable of undermining the active participation of PWDs in the elections. The following are TAFAFRICA PWD ELECTION HUB’s preliminary findings on the conduct of the elections based on data received from 273 field observers out of the 700 deployed.

General Atmosphere of the Elections;

Reports from TAFAfrica’s field observers indicate that the general atmosphere in which the election is being conducted has been peaceful and voting has largely proceeded smoothly without any major reports of violence or disruption of the process. Presently, only 13 PUs out of 128 are yet to register the presence of any security personnel.
Timeliness and Deployment

Data from the areas covered by our observers indicate that only 50 percent of INEC officials arrived at their polling units before 8:30 am. Data from TAFAFRICA PWD ELECTION HUB Dashboard further showed that only 38% arrived before 8:30, 45% arrived between 8:30 am and 9:30 am, and 18% arrived after 9:30 am. In the South-East zone, many polling units are yet to confirm the arrival of INEC officials. Data from TAFAfrica observers also show that 44% of Polling units have at least one (1) PWD INEC Ad hoc Staff. As regards the availability of important election materials, TAFAFRICA PWD ELECTION HUB data indicated that in at least 83% of polling units sensitive election materials like assistive devices, ballot papers, BVAS, results sheets, ballot boxes, and the voter register were available for the conduct of the election.

BVAS And Assistive Devices;
TAFAFRICA PWD ELECTION HUB data showed that in all 223 Polling Units, BVAS was available in most except in 3 Polling Units: LG Primary School Ipakodo, Ipakodo Ward, Okorodu LGA in Lagos State, Town Hall in Odurubu/Bolooadurubu Ward in Patani LGA in Delta State and Shopping Complex in Barnawa Ward, Kaduna South LGA in Kaduna. On the availability of assistive devices, Braille Ballot Guide are available only at 26 out of 273 PUs, Magnifying Glasses at 60 out of 273 PUs and Large Font Posters at 90 out of 273 PUs.

INEC was expected to provide 21,165 magnifying glasses at 16,071 polling units for persons with albinism and minor visual impairment, 6,167 posters at 5,085 PUs for those with hearing impairment nationwide, and 8,117 braille ballot guides at 5,957 PUs for the visually impaired.

In the FCT for instance, KUBWA VILLAGE/KOFAR SARKI (37-02-09-001) and DEIDEI PRY. SCHOOL FRONT OF PRY TWO BLOCK (37-02-09-059) both in Kubwa Ward, Bwari LGA are expected to have at least 6 and 13 registered visually impaired persons respectively. As such at least 1 braille ballot guide should be provided at these polling units. On the contrary, only large font posters were the only assistive devices made available.

Similarly, persons with albinism are registered at GAMES VILLAGE (37-06-02-139) Garki Ward, LUGBE F.H.A. GATE (37-06-03-014) Kabusa Ward and SABURI II HEALTH CENTER (37-06-12-06) Gwagwa Ward) all in the Municipal. Magnifying glasses are expected at these PUs but magnifying glasses were only provided at LUGBE F.H.A. GATE (37-06-03-014).

Accessibility to Polling Units and Priority Voting;
TAFAFRICA PWD ELECTION HUB data showed that 234 out of 273 PUs are accessible, and priority voting is being given to PWDs at 211 PUs out of 273.

Accreditation and Voting
Reports from TAFAfrica observers on the field indicate that accreditation and voting is ongoing on all the PUs. However, there are also reports of PWDs not participating in the elections due to long hours of waiting, as well as the unavailability of assistive devices.

Party Agents;
Observer data from the election observation platform showed all Polling Units reported the presence of at least one party agent. Out of 223 PUs, TAF Africa observers reported the presence of 0ne to 5 PWD Party agents in 95 PUs.

Conclusion
TAF Africa PWD Election Hub observers will continue to keep a close watch on the election up till when voting ends, and counting and collation of results begin. Further updates on findings will be provided at the end of the voting.

Signed:
Amb. Jake Epelle, Chair, TAF Africa PWD Election Hub

For Media Enquiries, contact:
Ndifreke Ferdinand
Coordinator, TAFAfrica PWD Election Hub (+2348146373363 | ndifreke@albinofoundation.org)

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Over 300 Persons with Disabilities Sensitised as TAF Africa Takes Able2Vote to Six Communities in Osun State

In six communities across Osun State, a quiet but powerful shift is underway. Persons with disabilities who have historically been sidelined at the polls are now being equipped, informed, and encouraged to claim their place in the democratic process — one conversation at a time. Between July 13 and July 17, TAF Africa’s Able2Vote campaign convened no fewer than 50 persons with disabilities at each of six venues across Osun State, reaching over 300 PWDs with direct voter education and civic sensitisation ahead of the August 15, 2026 off-cycle election and the 2027 general elections. Where the Outreach Happened # Community LGA Date 1 Alapa Ede North July 13 2 Ayiwola Iwo July 13 3 Ifelodun Ifelodun July 15 4 Ilorunshogo Osogbo July 15 5 Ireakiari Ife Central July 17 6 Iretayo Ilesa West July 17 At every stop, the message was the same: your vote matters, your voice counts, and your disability should never be a barrier to participation. Facilitators walked participants through the voting process, addressed the accessibility challenges many had faced or feared, and encouraged them to show up — not just as spectators of democracy, but as active participants in shaping it. Why It Matters Persons with disabilities are too often an afterthought in electoral planning — overlooked in accessibility provisions, undercounted at polling units, and underrepresented in political conversations. Able2Vote exists to change that story, one community at a time. By reaching over 300 PWDs in a single week across Osun State, TAF Africa is not just distributing information — it is building confidence, correcting misinformation, and reinforcing a simple truth: an election is only as credible as it is inclusive. This outreach forms part of TAF Africa’s broader Able2Vote campaign, implemented under the EU-SDGN Programme, which works to: Promote equal participation of PWDs in the electoral process Increase voter turnout among PWDs Improve the accessibility of electoral processes for PWDs Enhance political awareness and civic engagement among PWDs Strengthen accountability among electoral stakeholders Looking Ahead With the August 15, 2026 off-cycle election fast approaching and the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the sensitisation delivered in these six communities is more than an event — it is an investment in turnout, in confidence, and in a more inclusive democracy for Osun State and beyond. TAF Africa will continue to expand the reach of Able2Vote, ensuring that persons with disabilities are not just counted among the electorate, but heard, seen, and represented at the polls. Democracy becomes meaningful only when no one is excluded or left behind.

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.

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ON THE PWD PARTICIPATION AND THE CONDUCT OF THE FEBRUARY 25, 2023, GENERAL ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA

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