Representatives from Liberia’s National Elections Commission (NEC), National Commission on Disabilities (NCD), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are participating in the Africa Conference on Disability Inclusion in Electoral Processes in Dakar, Senegal, from 12–14 May 2026.

Liberia’s delegation includes Ignatius B. Wisseh, Deputy Executive Director for Program at the NEC; Dr. J. Aaron Wright, Executive Director of the National Commission on Disabilities; and Katherine Green, Chief Technical Advisor of the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP).

Their participation is supported by the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden through the project.

Opening the conference, Nirina Kiplagat, Governance and Peacebuilding Coordinator at the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa, described the gathering as a landmark platform for advancing inclusive democratic participation across the continent.

“This is a one-of-a-kind event. There has not been such a gathering in other regions,” she said, emphasizing the importance of practical, action-oriented solutions drawing on diverse African experiences.

Andrew Kudakwashe Dube, Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Disability Alliance, underscored that disability inclusion is fundamental to democratic legitimacy.

“Inclusion is not a slogan. Disability inclusion in elections is not a special topic, it is a democracy test. Elections cannot be described as free, fair, and credible if a substantial number of citizens cannot participate.”

Delivering remarks virtually, Heba Hagrass, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, highlighted the need to integrate disability inclusion across the entire electoral cycle from identity management and campaigning to election administration, civic education, and communications.

During the first session, “From Normative Commitments to Institutional Realities,” Ignatius B. Wisseh highlighted Liberia’s legal and policy frameworks supporting inclusive electoral participation, in line with international human rights obligations.

He noted that while the NEC has taken steps to operationalize the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, including through its Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy, challenges remain in translating commitments into practice.

Mr. Wisseh emphasized the need to increase the visibility of disability inclusion across all phases of the electoral cycle, particularly in civic and voter education. 

He also pointed to the importance of a nationwide assessment to better understand the number and geographic distribution of persons with disabilities, enabling more targeted, evidence-based interventions.

He further acknowledged the support of UNDP and UN Women, through the Liberia Electoral Support Project, in advancing inclusive electoral processes.

This includes support for gender and inclusion audits of political parties and capacity-building for electoral staff on women’s and disability inclusion.

Discussions at the conference also examined the impact of digital transformation on electoral participation.

Participants noted that innovations such as biometric voter registration, digital voter services, online campaigning, and electoral technologies can either expand participation or deepen exclusion if accessibility is not integrated from the outset.

The conference is expected to deliver practical tools, accessibility standards, monitoring indicators, and an Africa-focused roadmap for advancing disability-inclusive elections.

Organized by UNDP, the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division (EAD/DPPA), and the Africa Disability Alliance (ADA), the conference brings together election management bodies, organizations of persons with disabilities, policymakers, regional institutions, development partners, and technical experts from across Africa.

Held under the theme “Advancing the Electoral Participation of Persons with Disabilities in the Digital Era,” the conference aims to bridge the gap between global commitments and operational realities through practical, solutions-driven approaches. 

Discussions span the full electoral cycle, including voter registration, voter education, polling processes, complaints mechanisms, and post-election learning.

The conference is supported by funding from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation and the German Federal Foreign Office through the Africa Election Fund.

The Liberia Electoral Support Project implemented in collaboration with the NEC and other stakeholders, supports efforts to strengthen inclusive, credible, and participatory electoral processes in Liberia. 

The LESP supports national institutions and processes to promote inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance. The project is managed by UNDP and implemented in partnership with UN Women, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, and the National Elections Commission, with support from the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden.

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