Deepening Inclusive Elections in Nigeria and Africa

Deepening Inclusive Elections in Nigeria and Africa

As part of our ongoing efforts to promote inclusive elections, our Executive Director, Grace Jerry, recently participated in the Commonwealth Observer Group's mission to observe the Ghana 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. The focus was on assessing the state of disability inclusion in Ghana's electoral process.

During the mission, Grace Jerry met with key stakeholders, including former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, INEC Nigeria Chairman Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, and representatives from the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations. These discussions centered around comparative analyses of elections in Nigeria and Ghana, with a view to identifying best practices that can be leveraged to strengthen political participation for persons with disabilities.

The meetings emphasized the importance of promoting inclusive elections, not just in Ghana and Nigeria, but across Africa. By sharing knowledge and experiences, stakeholders can work together to address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in exercising their right to participate in the electoral process.

Key Takeaways

- The need for increased disability inclusion in electoral processes
- The importance of sharing best practices across countries to strengthen political participation for persons with disabilities
- The role of stakeholders, including election management bodies, civil society organizations, and governments, in promoting inclusive elections

Moving Forward

As we continue to advocate for inclusive elections, we recognize the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders. By working together, we can create a more inclusive and participatory electoral process that reflects the diversity of our societies.