Media, Disability, and The Ballot: Journalists in Anambra Trained to Drive Inclusive Electoral Coverage

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In the lead-up to the 2025 governorship election in Anambra State, an important and timely conversation is emerging, one that centers not just on votes but on visibility, dignity, and inclusion. At the heart of this shift is a strategic media engagement organized by TAF Africa, with funding support from the European Union under its support to democratic governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme. Themed “Able to Vote: Bridging Media and the Disability Community for Inclusive Participation in Anambra,” the event brought together journalists and disability advocates for a deep and necessary dialogue on changing the media narrative around persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral space.

The engagement was a deliberate effort to confront and dismantle the entrenched media habits that have long marginalized persons with disabilities in election reporting. Journalists from across the three senatorial zones gathered to learn, unlearn, and relearn how stories can shape participation and perceptions.

“Too often, stories about persons with disabilities are either reduced to tales of pity,” said Mr. Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda, during his session on Framing the Media Narrative on Disability. “The danger is not just in the inaccuracies, but in the harm they cause, harm that can extend to shaping policies, denying rights, and perpetuating exclusion.”

Ojo emphasized that media narratives have power, and with that power comes responsibility. He urged journalists to move beyond passive coverage and take on investigative roles that probe how inclusive institutions like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political parties truly are. “Ask questions,” he said. “Are assistive tools like braille ballot guides and magnifying glasses really reaching voters who need them? Are parties fielding candidates with disabilities or merely paying lip service to inclusion?”

Also speaking at the event, Barr. Peter Moneke, Legal Adviser to the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Anambra State, echoed the call for deeper inclusion. He reminded participants that democracy demands not only that persons with disabilities cast votes but that they are visible and supported throughout the entire electoral process, including as aspirants and political office holders.

“It’s not enough to vote,” Moneke said. “We must also have persons with disabilities at the table where decisions are made. That’s true representation.”

Lynn Agwuncha, Senior Communication Officer at TAF Africa, struck a chord with the participants when she acknowledged their presence and dedication. “Your role is not just to report,” she said, “but to reflect the realities of every citizen, especially those who have been historically ignored. This partnership between the media and the disability community is essential if we are serious about building inclusive elections.”

Adding to this, Mr. George Anwayi, Senior Programme Officer at TAF Africa, emphasized the importance of accuracy and empathy in disability coverage. “Words matter. Images matter. Context matters. Every headline, every caption, and every frame should respect the humanity and rights of persons with disabilities.”

The training covered key thematic areas designed to reshape how journalists engage with disability issues:

Ethical and inclusive language in reporting

Challenging stereotypes and harmful tropes

Collaborating with organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs)

Crafting story angles that spotlight inclusion in electoral processes

Holding institutions accountable through investigative journalism

Beyond the sessions and technical know-how, what made the event striking was the shared commitment to doing better, not just in print or on-air, but in attitude and approach. Journalists at the training expressed both surprise and determination, admitting how much had been missed in past reporting and vowing to turn a new page.

“I didn’t realize how narrow our reporting lens has been until now,” said one participant. “This training has opened my eyes to stories waiting to be told, and more importantly, how to tell them with dignity.”

Another journalist remarked, “Disability is not a tragedy. Exclusion is. That’s what we need to report.”

The event was a gentle reminder that inclusion doesn’t begin at the polling unit; it begins in the stories that shape public consciousness. And with the knowledge and tools shared at the training, journalists in Anambra are better equipped to ensure that throughout the electoral cycle for the gubernatorial elections, come November 8, 2025, the voices of persons with disabilities will be heard, respected, recognized, and represented.

We streamed live on Facebook! Watch it again on Youtube!

Inside the Joint EU Election Hub: How TAF Africa Tracked PWDs Participation in the Osun’s Election in Real Time

Adolak Events Hall, Osogbo, Osun State — 15th August 2026 When the polls opened across Osun State on 15 August 2026, thousands of voters with disabilities weren’t just showing up to cast a ballot — they were testing whether Nigeria’s electoral system was finally built for them too. Through a wide-reaching pre-election and election-day intervention, TAF Africa’s Able2Vote Campaign, implemented under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme, set out to answer that question with evidence rather than assumptions — and the results tell a story of real progress, alongside gaps that still demand attention. Breaking the Communication Barrier for Deaf Voters Perhaps the most tangible innovation was the deployment of 24 trained Sign Language Interpreters (SLIs) to 29 polling units across 12 LGAs, supporting 84 deaf voters on election day. Olorunda LGA alone accounted for 24 of those voters, while Ife Central, Osogbo, and Iwo rounded out the areas of highest concentration — together representing nearly two-thirds of all deaf voters reached. The data-driven approach — matching interpreter deployment to where deaf voters were actually registered — offers a replicable model. As one flexible deployment in Iwo showed (two interpreters covering five polling units), smart resource allocation can stretch limited capacity without leaving voters behind. Feedback from beneficiaries confirmed the impact: for many deaf voters, this was the first election where communication wasn’t a barrier to independent participation. What 150 Trained Observers Saw on Election Day To ground all of this in hard evidence, TAF Africa trained 150 election observers and deployed them, alongside its TAF Disability Hub App and a citizen eyewitness feature called The Third Eye, to document what was really happening at the polls. The numbers paint a nuanced picture: The good news • 94.3% of polling units were physically accessible to PWDs • 91.9% offered priority voting • 95.3% reported no harassment of PWD voters • 98.3% of votes were counted openly, and 94.6% of results were announced on-site • 97.66% of PWD voters who came to vote were able to do so The gaps that remain • Braille ballot guides were available in just 22.8% of polling units; magnifying glasses in only 5.7% • Only 46.3% of polling units had PWDs serving as INEC ad-hoc staff — and zero had observed PWD party agents • Security personnel were present in just 46.3% of polling units • 78.1% of PWD voters relied on trusted aides rather than assistive devices or trained support • Observers recorded 91 cases of PWD voters being induced, 23 cases of intimidation, and 40 incidents of violence around polling units Indicator Positive Gap Physically accessible polling units 94.3% 5.7% not accessible Priority voting provided 91.9% 8.1% no priority voting No harassment of PWD voters 95.3% 4.7% harassment cases Votes counted openly 98.3% 1.7% not counted openly PWD INEC ad-hoc staff present 46.3% 53.7% no PWD staff PWD party agents observed 0% 100% no PWD party agent The takeaway is clear: physical access to a polling unit is no longer the main battle. The next frontier is making sure PWDs can vote independently, are represented inside election structures, and are protected from manipulation that specifically targets their vulnerability. Stories the Statistics Can’t Tell Numbers aside, some of the most telling moments came from individual polling units. At Ile-Epo in Ward 4, a blind voter arrived with his wife’s assistance and later described the process as seamless — officials correctly completed the required Form EC40H to document his participation, a small but crucial act of accountability. Just a short distance away at Ataoja C PU 002, the story was different: officials seemed unfamiliar with the same form, producing other paperwork instead when asked about it. The same election, the same state, two very different experiences — a reminder that policy on paper means little without consistent training on the ground. At that same location, a wobbly wooden plank bridging an open drainage channel — the only route to where voter names were displayed — illustrated how accessibility gaps can hide in the details officials never think to check. The Road to 2027 With Nigeria’s next General Elections on the horizon in 2027, the report’s central message is a call to move from basic access to full, meaningful participation. Among the key recommendations: • Institutionalize the provision of assistive devices and Sign Language Interpreters as standard election infrastructure, not a one-off intervention • Set clear targets for recruiting qualified PWDs as election officials and party agents • Conduct pre-election accessibility audits to catch physical barriers before voting day • Strengthen disability-responsive security to protect PWD voters from intimidation and inducement • Expand digital reporting tools like the Disability Hub App and Third Eye to make election monitoring faster and more evidence-based • Embed PWD organizations directly into electoral planning, not just as consultees but as decision-makers The Bigger Picture The Osun State Governorship Election shows what’s possible when advocacy, technology, and stakeholder collaboration work in concert. Nearly all PWD voters who showed up were able to cast a ballot — a real achievement. But the same data reveals that acceptance at the ballot box hasn’t yet translated into representation within the system itself. Closing that gap — from voter to observer, from observer to official, from official to decision-maker — is the work that lies ahead as Nigeria looks toward 2027. This article is based on TAF Africa’s Osun State Governorship Election disability inclusion report, produced under the EU-SDGN Programme.

Stakeholder Engagement Meeting on the Implementation of the INEC IDP Framework

Call for Supply of Laptops and Office Chairs

TAF Africa, a leading disability inclusion organisation advancing the rights, inclusion, and meaningful participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in governance, democratic processes, education, and economic empowerment, is inviting quotations from competent and reputable vendors for the supply of laptops and ergonomic office chairs. This procurement is being carried out under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SGDN) Programme, Component 5B, to equip project staff with the tools they need to deliver on programme objectives. Objective To procure durable, high-performance laptops and ergonomic office chairs for project staff in line with the operational requirements of the EU-SGDN Programme, Component 5B. Scope of Supply S/N Item Minimum Specification Quantity 1 Laptop Computers Intel Core i7 (11th Gen or higher), 16GB RAM or higher, 500GB SSD or higher, backlit keyboard, touchscreen display, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, integrated webcam, original Windows 11 Professional (or latest version) 4 Units 2 Office Chairs High-back ergonomic design, adjustable seat height, adjustable armrests, lumbar support, breathable mesh or premium upholstery, five-wheel base, 360° swivel, gas lift mechanism 6 Units All equipment must be brand-new, come with a minimum one-year manufacturer warranty, and be delivered fully packaged with warranty documentation. Who Can Apply Interested vendors should be able to provide: Certificate of Incorporation (CAC) Valid Tax Clearance Certificate Company Profile demonstrating relevant experience Evidence of at least three similar supply contracts Manufacturer’s Authorization (where applicable) Evidence of warranty support Quotation in Nigerian Naira (NGN), inclusive of taxes, transport, and delivery costs Delivery timeline Evaluation Criteria Submissions will be assessed on compliance with technical specifications, vendor experience, product quality, delivery schedule, warranty and after-sales support, cost competitiveness, and completeness of documentation. Delivery and Payment The successful vendor must complete delivery within 14 calendar days of contract award or issuance of a Purchase Order. Payment will be made after successful delivery, inspection, acceptance of items, and submission of all required documentation. How to Submit Send the following by email: Financial quotation Pictures of items Years of warranty Required supporting documents Email subject line: “Supply of Laptops and Office Chairs” Send to: procurements@tafafrica.co Submission deadline: 12th August 2026 General Conditions TAF Africa reserves the right to accept or reject any quotation without assigning a reason. Submission of a quotation does not constitute a commitment to award a contract. Only shortlisted vendors will be contacted for further clarification or negotiation. All supplied equipment must be genuine, brand new, and free from defects.