Title: Independent National Elctoral Comssion's Inclusion Framework And Marginalisation Of Visually Impaired In Oyo State's, Nigeria Democratic Participation
Authors: OSENI Ibrahim Oladejo
Volume: 10
Issue: 7
Pages: 242-251
Publication Date: 2026/07/28
Abstract:
This study examines the relationship between INEC's Inclusion Framework and the democratic participation of visually impaired persons in Oyo State, Nigeria, with a focus on the marginalisation experienced by this population. Situated within the broader discourse on electoral integrity and inclusive democracy, the study draws on democratic participation theory and social marginalisation theory to assess whether INEC's policy interventions meaningfully enhance electoral access for visually impaired citizens or whether systemic barriers continue to limit their political participation. Using a quantitative survey research design, the study collected data from 100 respondents comprising 40 staff and 40 NCE Part Three students of Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, in Afijio Local Government, and 20 staff from Special School, Iseyin, in Iseyin Local Government. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Findings reveal that while INEC's Inclusion Framework has established important legal and policy foundations for disability inclusion, significant implementation gaps persist, particularly in the areas of assistive technology availability, polling unit accessibility, voter education, and training of electoral officials. Visually impaired persons continue to experience marginalisation through inaccessible voting materials, inadequate assistive devices, and limited opportunities for political candidacy. The study argues that INEC's framework remains largely aspirational rather than transformative, and that meaningful democratic participation for visually impaired persons requires stronger enforcement mechanisms, improved resource allocation, and deeper collaboration with disability organisations. The paper concludes that democratic consolidation in Nigeria depends on the genuine inclusion of marginalised groups, and that INEC must move beyond policy formulation to ensure effective implementation of its inclusion commitments.