TAF AFRICA TRAINS IDP CAMP COORDINATORS ON THE 2022 REGULATIONS AND FRAMEWORK FOR VOTING BY INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS

With support from the European Union through its Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme, TAF Africa organized a one-day training for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp coordinators on the 2022 regulations and framework for voting by internally displaced persons, to enhance their participation in the electoral process.

The National Commissioner and Chairman, of the Outreach and Partnership Committee, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Kunle Ajayi, represented by a member of the committee, Dorathy Bello noted that in September 2022, INEC reviewed the electoral framework for voters in IDP camps due to the passage of the 2022 Electoral Act and the introduction of new technologies.

On behalf of the commission, she called for the establishment of voter registration centers in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and host communities. According to her, the establishment of voter registration centers in IDP camps would allow IDPs to exercise their right to vote without undue burdens. He noted that IDPs often face immense hardships and multiple challenges and that creating an inclusive and enabling environment for them to participate in the democratic process is essential. She added that INEC, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, can mobilize resources and expertise to ensure that IDPs are adequately represented and that their interests are safeguarded in the political sphere.

In her words, “As a starting point, we advocate the establishment of accessible and well-organized voter registration centers in the IDP camps and host communities. This will allow the IDPs to easily register as voters and exercise their right to vote without undue burdens. Additionally, as an inclusive Commission, implementation of voter education programs tailored to the specific needs of IDPs, aiming to inform them about their rights, the electoral process, and the significance of their participation is very crucial.”

In his welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder, of TAF Africa, Amb. Jake Epelle said that lack of awareness around INEC policies on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) necessitated the training of IDP camp coordinators in selected states.

According to Amb. Epelle, Internally Displaced Persons are often marginalized, and INEC has a lot of policies and frameworks that can help them participate in the electoral process. He added that training of IDP camp coordinators is a positive step towards ensuring that IDPs have the opportunity to participate in Nigeria’s democratic process.

In his words, “INEC has a lot of policies and frameworks that many people are not even aware of. One of such policy is that of the electoral framework for voters in IDP camps. This is our first step of enlightening not only the coordinators but the public about the role of INEC, and IDPs in the electoral process”.

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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.

TAF AFRICA TRAINS IDP CAMP COORDINATORS ON THE 2022 REGULATIONS AND FRAMEWORK FOR VOTING BY INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS

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