Summary
SDN is launching a new project in partnership with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO). The Strengthening Inclusion and Participation project aims to improve the inclusion, access, and active participation of persons with disabilities (PwDs) in electoral processes in Rivers State. To achieve this, the project will mobilize selected PwDs to lead targeted advocacy campaigns and engage with key stakeholders, including government institutions, political parties, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in the run-up to the 2027 general elections. These engagements will be driven by the demands of PwDs, to secure concrete commitments and actions from INEC and political parties to address the specific needs and priorities of PwDs in the electoral process.
Aim
The SIP project seeks to enhance the inclusion, access, and active participation of persons with disabilities (PwDs) in electoral processes in Rivers State.
SDN will collaborate with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation to identify and support at least 60 individuals—including men, women, and young people—representing diverse disability clusters affiliated with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Rivers.  Key activities include;
- Organise stakeholder meetings with INEC Rivers, IPAC, the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare, and JONAPWD to secure buy-in and collaboration on PwD electoral inclusion.
- Hold one brainstorming session with 60 PwD representatives producing a communique and advocacy strategy, followed by at least five independent advocacy activities led by participants.
- Support PwD representatives to carry out a sensitization rally to INEC
- Organise multi-stakeholder roundtable to present updated PwD voter data, agree on a roadmap for election-day assistance, and secure commitments from political parties and institutions.
Context
In Nigeria, persons with disabilities (PwDs) face significant barriers to political engagement, including inaccessible infrastructure, societal stigma, and limited representation. These challenges hinder their participation in vital pre-election activities like continuous voter registration (CVR) and voter card collection. Although the 2022 Electoral Act empowers the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide necessary aids such as Braille, large embossed print, and sign language interpretation, PwDs continue to struggle to participate in elections.
During the 2023 General Elections, many in Rivers State were disenfranchised due to INEC’s failure to provide these aids at polling units, despite having data on their specific needs. Coordination among PwDs and the Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) to advocate for better inclusion has been lacking. To tackle these challenges, this project aims to mobilize frontline platforms for PwDs in Rivers State. The goal is to engage with INEC and political parties to secure commitments for adequate support during pre-election activities, on election day with necessary aids, and post-election for petitions and inquiries. Together, we can ensure a more inclusive democracy where every voice counts.