Legal Appraisal of the Electoral Rights of the People Living with Disabilities (PLWDS) in Nigeria: Need for Collaboration and Inclusivity

Abstract

Aim: According to the World Health Organisation, persons living with disability in Nigeria constitute 15% (25 million) of Nigeria’s population, and their civil and political rights must be protected. It is noteworthy that by virtue of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, the voting rights of Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) are secured, however, implementation of this Act has become an impediment to the rights of PLWDs. This paper investigates the reasons for the decline in political participation among the PLWDs and effective measures to actualize the already provided legal frameworks.
 Methods: This work adopts a desk-based (doctrinal) research methodology.
 Results: This paper reveals that the primary threat to the enjoyment of political rights by PLWDs is the failure to include PLWDs in decision-making, which is nearly impossible as there are few or no PLWDs in the legislature. It is noteworthy that Nigeria’s democracy will be deemed pseudo if a fraction of the society, regardless of their population, are disadvantaged or put in such a position that enforcing their suffrage is impracticable.
 Conclusion: This study concludes that involving the PLWDs in decision making or seeking their suggestions before making laws concerning or affecting them will make the laws practicable.