By: Saidu Jalloh
The Ministry of Social Welfare (MOSW), the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), and the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD) have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the participation of persons with disabilities in Sierra Leone’s electoral and governance processes ahead of the 2028 General Elections.
The commitment was made during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held at New England Ville in Freetown, where discussions focused on improving accessibility, inclusion, and equal participation for persons with disabilities before, during, and after elections.
Minister of Social Welfare, Mrs. Melrose Karminty, described the engagement as a significant milestone in advancing disability inclusion within Sierra Leone’s democratic framework. She highlighted the Ministry’s mandate to support vulnerable groups and oversee key institutions, including the National Commission for Persons with Disability, the Anti-Human Trafficking Agency, and the Social Work Regulatory Council.
Mrs. Karminty noted that Sierra Leone has made considerable progress in promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities through legislation, policies, and targeted programmes. However, she emphasized the need to further mainstream disability issues across governance structures and electoral systems to ensure full and meaningful participation.
She commended the leadership of the ECSL for prioritizing inclusivity and expressed confidence that the concerns and aspirations of persons with disabilities would remain central to the Commission’s planning and decision-making processes.
ECSL Chairman and Chief Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Edmond S. Alpha, described the meeting as historic, noting that while the Commission has engaged disability stakeholders for more than 15 years, this was the first such engagement involving the Ministry of Social Welfare.
He explained that ECSL has evolved from operating a disability desk to establishing a dedicated Department of Inclusion, demonstrating the Commission’s growing commitment to inclusive electoral processes. He reaffirmed ECSL’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with institutions and organizations advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities.
Mr. Alpha announced a series of measures aimed at making the 2028 elections more accessible and inclusive. These include conducting accessibility audits of polling stations, installing ramps and accessible voting booths, and expanding the use of assistive voting tools such as tactile ballot guides and Braille materials.
He also pledged mandatory disability-awareness training for election officials, increased recruitment of persons with disabilities as election workers and trainers, and the establishment of a rapid-response mechanism to address accessibility challenges on polling day.
“Voting is a fundamental right, not a privilege,” Mr. Alpha stated, emphasizing the importance of accountability, collaboration, and inclusive policies to ensure that all citizens can participate in the democratic process freely, independently, and with dignity.
The meeting concluded with the Chairperson of the National Commission for Persons with Disability, Commissioner Brima Sheriff, presenting a position paper on behalf of the Commission to the ECSL Chairman. The document outlined key recommendations aimed at strengthening disability-inclusive electoral processes and ensuring greater participation of persons with disabilities in future elections.
The engagement marks a significant step toward building a more inclusive electoral system and reflects the collective commitment of stakeholders to ensure that no citizen is left behind in Sierra Leone’s democratic journey.