BO Foundation for Inclusive Media (BOFIM) has launched a report on access to information and participation of women with disabilities in Osun State’s 2026 governorship election, under its “Her Voice, Her Vote: Digital Inclusion of Women with Disabilities in Osun’s 2026 Elections Project”.
The project, supported by the Digital Democracy Initiative, focused on digital inclusion of women with disabilities in the electoral process.
Ms Blessing Oladunjoye, Executive Director of BOFIM, presented findings from the organisation’s WhatsApp-based engagement with 30 women with disabilities across different disability clusters in Osun State during the governorship election.
She said “the engagement covered topics such as voting rights, voting procedures and misinformation during the election period, with information provided in accessible formats including plain text, graphics, audio messages and videos.”
According to Oladunjoye, “plain text messages were the most appreciated format among the women who took part in the project.
She further said that the report identified both successes and challenges in the electoral process, including the availability of Form EC48 for persons with disabilities, as well as persistent issues with physical accessibility at polling units and gaps in communication for voters with hearing impairments.”
The report launch featured the screening of videos produced by women with disabilities demanding accessible electoral systems, especially around around accessible voting systems, communication accessibility and the right to vote without discrimination.
Following the video screening, Oluwakemi Odusanya, a disability-consultant who worked on producing the videos, spoke on access to information and voting for women with disabilities.
Ms. Odusanya said “disability rights are human rights and called on political parties and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure accessible voting for persons with disabilities.”
She urged stakeholders to work together to build the confidence of women with disabilities to cast their votes.
Isaiah Ude, who also made a presentation at the event, spoke on digital accessibility challenges in the Osun State election and proffered recommendations for improving electoral information access for persons with disabilities ahead of future elections.
He said electoral accessibility for persons with disabilities works best when it is included from the planning stage of elections.
At the launch, Ms Susan Ihuoma, Vice President of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), FCT Chapter, said political participation is a right for all citizens, including women and persons with disabilities.
Participants at the event outlined recommendations for improving accessibility before the 2027 general election, including ensuring polling units are made accessible earlier, guaranteeing accessible voting materials, and improving sign language interpretation at polling stations.
BOFIM would engage INEC and focus on amplifying the report and its demands in the short term, as part of efforts to drive impact ahead of the 2027 general election.
