ZAFOD CALLS GOVERNMENT, POLITICAL PARTIES AND ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO INCLUDE PWDs IN ELECTORAL PROCESS 

By Daily News Reporter 

As Zambia prepares for future electoral cycles, the question of who fully participates in the country’s democratic process has once again come into sharp focus. At the centre of this conversation is the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), a group that continues to face systemic barriers to exercising one of the most fundamental democratic rights—the right to vote and to be voted for.

The Federal Director of the Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD) Mr Justin Bbakali speaking during the stakeholders engagement meeting in Lusaka issued a strong call to key electoral stakeholders to urgently address these challenges. 

He urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), Government, and political parties to ensure the full and meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities in Zambia’s electoral processes.

According to ZAFOD, inclusive elections are not a favour but a constitutional and human rights obligation. Despite Zambia’s progressive laws and international commitments, many citizens with disabilities still encounter physical, institutional, and attitudinal barriers that prevent them from fully participating in elections.

“An inclusive electoral system strengthens democracy and ensures that the voices of all Zambians, including persons with disabilities, are heard and respected,” the ZAFOD Executive Director said.

For many persons with disabilities, the journey to the ballot box is fraught with obstacles. Inaccessible polling stations without ramps or clear signage, long queues that disadvantage persons with mobility challenges, and the absence of voter education materials in braille, large print, or audio formats continue to undermine participation.

 He further noted that during voter registration and polling days, many PWDs lack access to assistive services such as sign language interpretation or trained polling officers who understand how to support voters with different forms of disabilities while maintaining the secrecy and integrity of the vote.

These barriers, advocates argue, effectively disenfranchise thousands of citizens and weaken the credibility of the democratic process.

Mr Bbakali called on the ECZ to scale up disability-friendly interventions, including the provision of ramps at polling stations, priority voting queues, tactile ballot guides, and braille and large-print voting materials. The organisation has also emphasized the need for continuous training of electoral officers on disability inclusion and rights-based approaches.

Political parties have not been spared from the criticism. ZAFOD challenged parties to go beyond rhetoric and adopt inclusive campaign strategies that reach voters with disabilities. This includes making campaign messages accessible and ensuring that persons with disabilities are represented in party leadership structures and considered in candidate selection.

“Inclusion must be reflected not only at the polling station but also in political participation and decision-making spaces,” Mr Bbakali said.

Adding further weight to the discussion, disability rights advocate, 

Ms Ruth Zulu ZAFOD Programs Manager presented key findings from an electoral observation report during the same meeting. Her presentation painted a sobering picture of the structural gaps that continue to affect electoral accessibility.

Ms. Zulu revealed that there has been limited disability status registration and designation within the electoral system, making it difficult to plan and budget effectively for inclusive elections. She also noted the absence of clear and dedicated budget lines for accessibility measures, which often results in disability inclusion being treated as an afterthought.

She called on Government to strengthen legal and policy frameworks governing electoral accessibility and urged political parties to deliberately adopt and promote persons with disabilities within their structures.

Ms. Zulu further emphasized the importance of sustained engagement between Government and the Parliamentary Disabilities Caucus. According to her, maintaining active coordination among stakeholders would help present a united voice on electoral accessibility and ensure that disability inclusion remains a priority at policy and implementation levels.

She also stressed the need for stronger coordination among civil society organisations, electoral bodies, and lawmakers to avoid fragmented efforts and to push for long-term, sustainable reformed.

ZAFOD has reiterated its readiness to collaborate with the ECZ, Government, and political parties to promote awareness, build capacity, and develop practical solutions that guarantee equal participation for all citizens. As Zambia continues to consolidate its democratic gains, advocates argue that true democracy will only be realised when no citizen is excluded on the basis of disability.

For persons with disabilities, the call is clear: inclusion must move from policy statements to practical action—at the polling station, in political parties, and within the halls of power.