MONROVIA -Acting Executive Director of the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD), Apostle Dr. J. Aaron Wright Sr., is participating in a high-level regional conference in Dakar focused on advancing disability-inclusive elections across Africa.
The conference brings together electoral officials, disability advocates, policymakers, and international partners from across the continent to strengthen inclusive democratic processes and promote the full participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in governance and elections.
Organizers describe the gathering as the first United Nations Electoral Assistance Conference dedicated specifically to placing disability inclusion at the center of discussions on digital transformation, political participation, and electoral systems in Africa.
Representing Liberia alongside Apostle Dr. Wright is Mr. Ignatius B. Wesseh, Deputy Executive Director for Programs at the National Elections Commission (NEC) Liberia.
The conference seeks to identify strategies and policy frameworks that will remove barriers preventing Persons with Disabilities from fully participating in electoral processes, including voter registration, civic education, and access to polling places.
Liberia’s participation highlights the country’s ongoing commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of Persons with Disabilities through legal and policy reforms.
Under Article 77 of the Liberian Constitution, all citizens aged 18 and above are guaranteed the right to vote, while provisions in Liberia’s New Elections Law promote accessibility to voter registration centers and polling places for Persons with Disabilities.
The Government of Liberia further strengthened its commitment to disability rights by ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2012.
Disability inclusion also remains a major component of Liberia’s National Development Agenda 2025–2029, commonly known as the ARREST Agenda, which prioritizes empowerment and inclusion for women, children, and Persons with Disabilities.
The regional conference is being organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP-Africa) in collaboration with the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division (EAD) and the Africa Disability Alliance (ADA), with support from the Governments of Germany and Spain.
Participants are expected to engage in discussions on improving electoral accessibility, leveraging digital technology for inclusion, and strengthening policies that support equal political participation for Persons with Disabilities throughout Africa.
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