The need for inclusive elections has never been more important

We are witnesses to a changing time for governance globally. Democratic backsliding and the declining quality of elections are spiralling concerns. But how can the inclusion of people with disabilities help to address these threats?

People with disabilities face particular and multifaceted barriers to equal participation in elections. Stigma, discriminatory legal frameworks, limited awareness of their rights and a lack of accessibility when it comes to electoral infrastructure, technology and information are prevailing barriers. These are often exacerbated by wider challenges to free and open elections.

Thanks in part to the work of members of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities Network, many governments have been taking positive measures to ensure that people with disabilities can fully and effectively participate in political and public life on an equal basis with others, as enshrined in Article 29 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

However, barriers persist and recent evidence shows that 67% of countries retain constitutional or legal exceptions restricting the right to vote for people with disabilities. Furthermore, 91% restrict eligibility to stand for elections, with legal restrictions often specifically targeting people with intellectual disabilities (according to the UN’s Department for Economic and Social Affairs’ Disability and Development Report 2024).

The underrepresentation of people with disabilities among electorates plays out against a backdrop of a shrinking democratic space more generally. The quality of elections has declined in many countries, with growing questions of credibility, declining voter turnout and increasing election-related violence all highlighted in the latest International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance Global State of Democracy report.

Democracy only works if everyone is fully able to participate. In the current uncertainty, there has never been a more important time to support efforts to enhance the political participation of people with disabilities.

A time of action

At Sightsavers, as part of our inclusive citizenship work, we have been at the forefront of implementing projects to promote the meaningful participation of people with disabilities in electoral processes. We are currently working to address barriers to inclusive electoral participation in Cameroon, Senegal, Tanzania and Bangladesh.

So far, the results and learnings are the fruits of strong partnerships and collaboration between organisations of people with disabilities (OPDs) locally, national electoral management bodies, political parties and good governance civil society organisations. In Cameroon, we have worked with the national umbrella OPD to establish an inclusive elections technical working group and enhance their engagement with Elections Cameroon (ELECAM). In Bangladesh, we hosted a consultation between the major political parties and OPDs to identify key participation barriers for people with disabilities and produce recommendations on how to improve. While in Tanzania, we engaged the Independent National Elections Commission to build capacity on the accessible design of voter education materials.

Efforts to address stigma and increase awareness of voting rights and accessible voting aids build upon solid good practice foundations. However, one size does not fit all when working with marginalised impairment groups and having dedicated support is critical. In Cameroon, we recently partnered with Inclusion International to conduct consultations, training and develop easy to understand voting awareness materials with people with intellectual disabilities.

Perhaps in a climate of misinformation, and the need for quick, accessible and digestible media for the electorate, we can all learn from the disability movement. Similarly, targeting the accessibility of infrastructures, in particular polling stations and voting equipment, is not only the key to disability inclusion but should be viewed as crucial electoral reform efforts more broadly. Accessibility benefits the wider electorate in terms of creating a more supportive, welcoming and safe environment for casting your vote. For example, in Cameroon, we have supported OPDs as well as local civil society organisations to be accredited election observers and trained them to conduct disability accessibility audits of polling stations to make recommendations to improve accessibility.

People with disabilities are also increasingly playing a leading role in electoral processes to advocate and hold governments accountable for inclusive policy commitments. However, to meaningfully engage in democratic processes, people with disabilities should also be able to participate at the highest level to inform process and policies. We have been supporting candidates with disabilities to stand for local council elections in Senegal, while in Cameroon, we have advocated that people with disabilities should have a more active role in local electoral authorities.

A time for leadership

Despite all the progress, efforts to increase the meaningful participation of people with disabilities in electoral processes are at risk of reduced support and resourcing, given the current shift in global development priorities. Disability inclusion and promoting democracy are two sides of the same good governance coin.

We cannot underestimate the value of democratic participation; these efforts require not only political will but resourcing, both for dedicated disability inclusion efforts as well as mainstreaming across wider democracy building efforts.

In spite of the current threats, elections remain the cornerstone of democracy and the participation of the citizens most at risk of being left behind is key to any healthy democracy.

This blog was first published in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Parliamentarian journal: Volume 106, 2025, Issue Four.