Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review August 2017

1 Contents Acronyms

3 Acronyms 25 Question 3: Strategies to support inclusive elections Acronym Description 4 Abstract 25 Legislation and policies AACODS Authority, Accuracy, Coverage, Objectivity, Date, Significance BVR Biometric voter registration 6 Introduction 25 Adjustments of the physical infrastructure CASP Critical Appraisal Support programme 8 Methods 26 Representation of people with CSO Civil society organizations disabilities’ interests by DPOs 8 Search strategies CODEO Coalition of Domestic Election Observers 27 Financial and technical 8 Sifting and selection DA District Assembly assistance from international 8 Data extraction and quality assessment development donors DIFID Department for International Development DPO Disabled people’s organisation 9 Results 30 Question 4: Impact of interventions on the participation of people with DRC Democratic Republic of the Congo 9 Search results disabilities in electoral processes EC Electoral Commission 10 Characteristics of documents identified EISA Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa 32 Discussion EPPSP Electoral and Political Processes Strengthening Program 16 Question 1: Laws and policies for 33 Limitations and strengths political rights of persons with FAQ Frequently asked questions disabilities 34 References GAB Ghana Association of the Blind 16 Global legislation 36 Appendix 1 – Search terms GESP Ghana Electoral Support Programme 17 National legislation GFD Ghana Federation of the Disabled 37 Appendix 2 – Search strategy ID Identification 20 Question 2: Barriers faced by people with disability in accessing political 39 Appendix 3 – Data extract and critical IFES International Foundation for Electoral Systems participation appraisal form USAID United States Agency for International Development NDB National Disability Board NEC National Electoral Commission NDI National Institute for International Affairs NGO Non-governmental organisation SADC The Southern African Development Community STAR Strengthening Transparency, Accountability and Responsiveness in Ghana Authors UN United Nations Bhavisha Virendrakumar, Emma Jolley, Eric Badu, Rachel Murphy, Elena Schmidt Voice Ghana Voice of People with Disability Ghana

2 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 3 Abstract Results Conclusion In total, 54 documents were included in the Limitations of the literature included in review. Nine documents focused on the global this review suggest that activities aiming at Introduction Methods level; the remaining ones were country- increased political participation of people with specific with the majority of documents disabilities in Africa are poorly documented. The right to vote is critical to democracy We searched relevant electronic databases providing information on Ghana and Nigeria. Most of the sources identified were of low and the United Nations Convention on the and websites of service providers and donor Overall, the documents identified were quality, and it is impossible to draw any Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) organisations working in this field. We also diverse in their design, scope and content. definitive inferences on which interventions underscores the equal right of people with contacted authors and organisations for The findings show that although most African work, where and for whom. This systematic disabilities to participate in political life. Yet, relevant reports, and reviewed reference countries ratified important disability- review identifies an urgent need for high in many low income countries, including those lists of included documents. Sources focused legislation and proclaimed equal quality impact evaluations and research in Africa, people with disabilities are often containing empirical primary data (written opportunities, the implementation of the to assess the existing and newly proposed unable to cast their vote or stand for political in English, French and Portuguese, primarily legislation varies greatly, and the practices policies and programmes on political inclusion election in their local institutions. They are or substantively focusing on the political are not homogenous across the continent. of people with disabilities in Africa. therefore excluded from political and social participation of people with disabilities in Political participation challenges experienced engagement and cannot fully exercise and Africa, and published from 2006 onwards) by people with disabilities can occur at any enjoy their guaranteed rights. were included in the review. Titles and stage, including pre-electoral, electoral and abstracts were reviewed by one author post-electoral processes, and can be broadly Aim against the predefined inclusion criteria. categorised into three groups: Two authors independently extracted data This systematic review aimed to identify, and assessed the quality of the documents 1. lack of education and financial resources; appraise and synthesise all available meeting the inclusion criteria. The data 2. stigma and negative social attitudes and; evidence to understand: extraction and appraisal forms were developed by the authors. 3. inaccessible physical infrastructure. 1. what experiences and practices have already taken place in African countries to The majority of the documents included support political participation of people information on strategies to support inclusive with disabilities and; electoral and political processes. However, the impact of these on political participation 2. what effect they have had on the political of people with disabilities remains unclear. inclusion of people with disabilities at local The majority of the sources were descriptive and national levels across the continent. in nature; and although they suggested that a number of countries in Africa and their international partners are working towards removing barriers to political participation of people with disabilities, the theory of change underpinning these strategies was generally poorly articulated and the effect of the tested interventions was not reported in any quantifiable way. In addition, the included documents were mainly grey literature, such as observation reports, case studies, press releases, dissertations and manuals, and as such these were attributed low confidence and high risk of bias. It is therefore unclear whether the findings reported are a reasonable representation of the phenomenon of interest.

4 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 5 In response to the systematic exclusion and In order to understand the best way to Introduction discrimination of people with disabilities in approach this work, this systematic review electoral and political processes, and in line aims to identify, appraise and combine all Voting is a fundamental aspect of the representatives, including the right and with its empowerment and inclusion strategic available evidence to understand (a) what democratic process. This provides individuals opportunity for persons with disabilities to framework (published in 2015), Sightsavers experiences and practices have already with a voice to influence decisions that affect vote and be elected”1, 3. Article 12 focuses on is keen to start a programme to promote taken place in Africa and (b) what effect they their lives. However, people with disabilities legal capacity, an issue that often affects the the political participation of people with have had on the participation of people with have often been discriminated against in this right to vote of persons with intellectual or disabilities in sub-Saharan Africa through disabilities in political life at local and national regard. In response to the historical exclusion psychological disabilities. It calls to ensure inclusive elections. Sightsavers’ empowerment levels across the continent. and inclusion strategy4 states: of people with disabilities from social and that “persons with disabilities have the right The questions we sought to answer are: political processes, the United Nations (UN) to recognition everywhere as persons before “The right to vote is critical to General Assembly adopted the Convention the law,” they “enjoy legal capacity on an equal 1. What laws and policies exist in countries in on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities basis with others” and they have support democracy and the United Nations Africa to ensure the participation of people (CRPD) in December 20061. The CRPD report in exercising these rights. In the context of Convention on the Rights of with disabilities in national, district and is an international human rights treaty, which elections and political processes, this means Person with Disabilities (UNCRPD) local elections? promotes, protects, and ensures the full election laws should be void of provisions that enjoyment of human rights by persons with restrict the right to vote of persons under underscores the equal right of people 2. What are the barriers and enablers of disabilities. The UNCRPD was a landmark guardianship, and if a voter requires support, with disabilities to participate in participation of people with disabilities document for the UN; it was the first he or she should be provided assistance. political life. Yet, in many countries in national, district and local elections in Africa? comprehensive human rights treaty of the people with visual impairment, 21st century, which made a large step towards Aligned with the UNCRPD, the African 3. What approaches and interventions have transforming people with disabilities from Charter on democracy, elections and for example, are not able to cast been employed in Africa to increase the passive recipients of aid to fully empowered governance (established in 2007) specifies their vote independently because participation of people with disabilities in citizens who enjoy equal rights and that State Parties “shall eliminate all forms the mechanisms are not inclusive. national, district and local elections? protections under national and supranational of discrimination and shall adopt legislative and administrative measures to guarantee Sightsavers will consolidate our laws2. The UNCRPD is the guiding 4. What impact has been measured on the the rights of people with disabilities international standard in disability inclusion. learning from experiences in Africa participation of people with disabilities and other marginalised groups” (Article As mentioned in Article 1, the rights described as well as that of other Actors. in national, district and local elections 8). Additionally, The Southern African in the Convention apply to everyone with a in Africa as a result of the identified Development Community (SADC) principles Then, building on best practice disability, including “those who have long- interventions? term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory and guidelines governing democratic elections we will work with electoral impairments.” Article 29 of the treaty focuses (2004) state that SADC member states shall commissions and partners to on participation in political and public life. It adhere to full participation of citizens in the ensure that future national, district political process; and they are responsible calls on States to “ensure that persons with and local elections are inclusive of disabilities can effectively and fully participate for encouraging participation of people with in political and public life on an equal basis disabilities in all aspects of the electoral people with disabilities.” with others, directly or through freely chosen process in accordance with the national laws.

6 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 7 Methods Results

Search strategies Data extraction and Search results We searched for peer-reviewed literature quality assessment We retrieved 54 unique documents that met our inclusion criteria. Of these, 28 documents were from electronic databases including EBSCO, Two authors independently extracted data and identified through databases (figure 1), 24 documents were identified through the review of Ovid, Web of Science (core module), Science assessed the quality of the documents meeting references, and two were sent by a member of the National Democratic Institute (NDI). Direct, ProQuest, IDEA, ELDIS, African the inclusion criteria. The data extraction Portal, The Campbell Collaboration and Figure 1: Documents identified through database search (conducted Mar 2016) and appraisal form was developed by the EPPI Centre, drawing on thesaurus and non- shown in a flow chart indicating the database search results. authors (appendix 3). The data extraction thesaurus words as appropriate (Appendix form was organised in a qualitative manner 1). In addition, we supplemented this data according to the research questions. The 12 with grey literature through a search of the appraisal checklist developed was based on documents identified from databases/websites: electoral commission (EC) websites, service three validated tools: the CERQual approach, providers and donor organisations working 2 from Africa ortal 3 from Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) on related issues. We also contacted authors 14 from DA 1 from ational tool and Authority, Accuracy, Coverage, and organisations, including ECs such as the 12 from Democratic nstitute Objectivity, Date, Significance (AACODS) African Union, The European Union External 3 from te tool. Quality assessment of each study was 4 from vi Action and Disabled Peoples’ International for ommonwealt based on the following criteria: reliability, 32 from rouest relevant reports (Appendix 2). Additionally, as 4 from lobal accuracy, methods, relevance and coherence. 32 from eb of cience accessibility part of the search strategy we also reviewed A study was attributed ‘high confidence’ if from lection Access reference lists of included reports. from nclusion authors reported details for all the criteria 2 from AD international mentioned above and therefore it is highly from As source from A Sifting and selection likely that the review finding is a reasonable representation of the phenomenon of interest. Titles and abstracts were reviewed by one ‘Moderate confidence’ was attributed if the author against the predefined inclusion criteria. ulicate ocuments remove authors ‘partially’ reported the methods used Documents containing empirical primary data to conduct the study, if the findings were written in English, French and Portuguese, applicable to the context specified within unique ocuments ientifie primarily or substantively focusing on the the study and if the authors discussed how political participation of people with disabilities findings compared and contrasted to other in Africa, were included. In this systematic 2 ocuments remove base research findings from other studies in the on screenin or titles or abstracts review, Africa Region is defined as 54 countries same field, therefore it is likely that the review of the African continent from Eastern Africa, finding is a reasonable representation of the Middle Africa, Northern Africa, Southern ocuments ientifie for full-tet review phenomenon of interest. ‘Low confidence’ Africa and Western Africa. Documents 3 eclue for inclusion was attributed to a study if the authors did eason for eclusion: published from 2006 onwards were included not report most of the criteria noted above, ot isability relate as this is when the UNCRPD was signed, and implying that it is not clear whether study when most governments undertook to improve ot relevant findings are a reasonable representation of the the political participation of their citizens with ublise before phenomenon of interest. It should be noted disabilities. Reports written in languages other 2 sifte stuies that all legal documents included were not than English, French or Portuguese, those critically appraised. that were not focused on disability inclusive Excluded studies: ublise before elections, those that were from outside Africa, and those published before 2006, were excluded. Searching and screening 2 was undertaken in March 2016. included studies

8 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 9 Characteristics of documents identified Thematic Area Title Country Confidence Documents identified were diverse. clear whether the findings reported in each Policy and/or Mauritania thematic study on Mauritania Low Nine papers identified consisted of legal document were a reasonable representation Legislation on participation in political and public life by documents; the majority of documents of the phenomenon of interest, as described the participation people with disabilities reported on frequently asked questions above. In addition, the documents did not of people with My voice matters! Plain-language guide Lebanon, Low (FAQs) produced prior to elections; and the provide information on the methods used disabilities in on inclusive civic engagement :a guide for Kenya and remaining documents reported on different to conduct the study, it was not clear if the political life people with intellectual disabilities on the Zanzibar aspects of the participation of people findings were applicable to the context right to vote and have a say on the laws with disabilities in electoral and political specified within the study, and the study and policies in their country processes (eg electronic voting, registration). did not discuss how findings compared and All documents (excluding legal documents) contrasted to other research findings from Response: Burkina Faso thematic study Burkina Faso Not were attributed low confidence as it was not other studies in the same field (table 1). on participation in political and public life applicable by people with disabilities Table 1: Characteristics of documents included in the review Response: Mauritius thematic study on Mauritius Not participation in political and public life by applicable Thematic Area Title Country Confidence people with disabilities FAQ documents Elections in Sierra Leone FAQ Sierra Leone Low Response: Niger thematic study on Niger Not produced prior to Elections in Tanzania FAQ Tanzania Low participation in political and public life by applicable elections people with disabilities Elections in Ghana FAQ Ghana Low Response: Zimbabwe thematic study on Zimbabwe Not Elections in Zimbabwe FAQ Zimbabwe Low participation in political and public life by applicable Elections in Guinea FAQ Guinea Low people with disabilities Elections in Kenya FAQ Kenya Low Election EISA Technical assessment team and Liberia Low observation election observer mission report: Liberia Elections in Mali FAQ Mali Low focusing on in- Nigeria presidential and national Nigeria Low Elections in Nigeria FAQ Nigeria Low country practices assembly elections and approaches Elections in Liberia FAQ Liberia Low EISA observer mission report: Democratic Low Elections in Burundi FAQ Burundi Low Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Elections in Cote D'Ivoire FAQ Cote D'Ivoire Low Electoral manual Equal access: How to include persons Global Low Policy and/or The Convention on the Rights of Persons Global Not on how to include with disabilities in elections and political Legislation on with Disabilities and the Optional applicable people with process the participation Protocol disabilities in of people with Election agent’s manual Kenya Low Compendium of International Standards Global Not elections and disabilities in for Elections applicable political process political life Abridgement of Public Elections Act 2012 Sierra Leone Low Press release As it happened: South Africa election South Africa Low drawing on Summary of Persons with Disabilities Act Tanzania Not Updated: Sierra Leone’s peaceful election Sierra Leone Low individual 2010 applicable is another step forward experiences CRPD compliance note: Kenya – A Kenya Low De-registration of 28 political parties Nigeria Low country-level review of compliance with Context analysis Contextual analysis of the disability Ghana Low CRPD Article 29 on the disability situation in Ghana Communication policy/strategy for INEC Nigeria Low situation in Ghana

10 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 11 Thematic Area Title Country Confidence Thematic Area Title Country Confidence Election Evaluation of the Ghana electoral support Ghana Low Reporting Introducing electronic voting: essential Global Low evaluation looking programme on different considerations at the electoral aspects on the Liberia elections and political processes Liberia Low Voter registration in Africa: a comparative Africa Low and political participation programme evaluation analysis processes of people with disabilities in Mainstreaming persons with disabilities Kenya and Low Dissertation Electoral participation as a fundamental Ethiopia Low elections such as Mali analysing the political right of persons with disabilities electronic-voting political role in Ethiopia: critical examination of the law Desk review report on participation of Nigeria Low and registration of people with and the practice. people with disabilities systems; disabilities Deepening democracy: A strategy for Global Low Media code The Nigerian media code of election Nigeria Low improving the integrity of elections coverage report coverage worldwide documenting the Strengthening transparency, Ghana Low responsibility accountability and responsiveness of media in Ghana: election call roundtable organisations discussion (summary report) towards people with disabilities Thematic study by the Office of the Global Not United Nations High Commissioner for applicable Position/concept Inclusive civic engagement: an Global Low Human Rights on participation in political papers to information toolkit for families and and public life by persons with disabilities understand the people with intellectual disabilities level of inclusion Reponse du government sur la mise en Cameroon Not Position paper establishing baseline for Ghana Low and participation ceuvre et l’application de la resolution applicable people with disabilities’ inclusion and of people with 16/15 du conseil des droits de l’homme participation in the electoral processes in disabilities relative aus droits des personnes the Agortime-Ziofe and Adaklu districts in electoral handicapees processes Uganda’s disability journey: Progress and Uganda Low Accessing the ballot box: inclusive civic Global Low challenges engagement for people with intellectual Case studies Accessing the ballot box: inclusive civic Kenya and Low disabilities – an information toolkit for promoting engagement for people with intellectual Tanzania governments knowledge disabilities – an information toolkit for (Zanzibar) Election 2012 situation room report Ghana Low through the governments realities and Improving electoral practices: case Global Low lessons learned studies and practical approaches from different countries Peer-reviewed Disability and political participation in Ghana Low papers analysing Ghana: an alternative perspective disability Facilitating an Equal Right to Vote for South Africa Low and political Persons with Disabilities participation

12 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 13 30 documents contained information on For Ghana, identified documents mostly Legislation documents identified for Tanzania Three observation reports were identified strategies to support inclusive electoral analysed the context within which people with included information on the rights of people for Liberia, Nigeria and DRC. For Liberia, and political processes, and 20 documents disabilities strive for political inclusion into with disabilities. For Zimbabwe, Nigeria, this consisted of a final evaluation report on identified focused on legislation and policy to the local government system, and examined Mauritius and Burkina Faso there were the United States Agency for International allow participation of people with disabilities the factors impeding the participation of government reports responding to UN Development (USAID) Electoral and Political in national, district or local elections. 14 people with disabilities in local politics. enquiries including relevant information on Processes Strengthening Program (EPPSP). reports detailed barriers faced by people with Other documents described experiences policy and legislation. Documented frequently For Nigeria, this consisted of an observation disabilities in electoral and political processes, of people with disabilities in accessing asked questions described the political of the Presidential and National Assembly and only five reports included information electoral and political processes and processes and procedures that people with elections. For DRC, the document outlined the on approaches and interventions that have electoral support programmes. disabilities should follow on the day of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy been employed to increase the participation election focusing on Sierra Leone, Tanzania, in Africa (EISA) election observer mission’s of people with disabilities in electoral For Nigeria, documents consisted of an Ghana, Zimbabwe, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, assessment, findings and analysis of the procedures. Most of the data contained within election observation report, a review on Nigeria, Liberia, Burundi and Cote D’Ivoire. electoral process in the first and second round the documents was descriptive, with little (if electoral and political processes and practices, For the African continent as a whole, the presidential elections, as well as elections for any) data on the impact of interventions on legal and policy frameworks, a communication identified document provided an overview of national and provincial assemblies. the participation of people with disabilities policy/strategy providing guidance on various voter registration systems used. For in elections. standards for commissioning purposes, a Ethiopia, we identified a thesis addressing the news release describing adaptions in place extent of the exclusion/inclusion of people Nine documents identified focused on a for people with disabilities, and a media code with disabilities in the political arena. For global level. We found more information of coverage reporting the responsibilities Uganda, the document identified reported on Ghana (eight documents) and Nigeria of media organisations towards people on the country’s disability election journey, (seven documents) than other countries. Five with disabilities. specifically on progress and challenges. documents included information from Kenya; three reports each focused on Sierra Leone, For Kenya, included documents analysed Liberia and Tanzania; two documents each UNCRPD compliance, provided insight focused on Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Mali; on NDI’s work to promote the political and one each reported information from the participation of people with disabilities, Africa region without a specific country focus: and described individual experiences in Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic accessing political life. Republic of the Congo (DRC), Mauritius, A press release from Sierra Leone reported Mauritania, Cote D’Ivoire, Ethiopia and observations made by the regional director Uganda. One document focused on several on election day and its aftermath. countries including Kenya and Zanzibar in Additionally, the legislation document Africa. Global focused documents explored sifted for inclusion in the review included practices/approaches on how to support information on the political and electoral people with disabilities to access electoral processes and procedures. and political processes. Additionally, these analysed compliance and relevant provisions of the UNCRPD and international standards in assessing the conduct of elections.

14 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 15 Question 1: Laws and policies for political rights of National legislation persons with disabilities Sierra Leone Kenya In this section, we aimed to identify Global legislation In Sierra Leone, the Abridgement Act 2010 The Constitution of Kenya, Article 38, states states that where a voter is physically that every citizen has the right to be involved which laws and policies exist in As of August 2016, the UNCRPD has been disabled, he/she will be allowed to be in any political matter. The Persons with countries in Africa to ensure the signed and ratified by 160 countries. Of these, accompanied by another voter of his/her Disabilities Act 2003, section 29, specifies that participation of people with disabilities 23 African countries ratified the convention and choice, especially in the case where a voter is people with disabilities have the right to vote in national, district and local elections. protocol, and 16 African countries ratified the blind. The person accompanying the physically and may have a personal assistant whose duty We looked at the legislation and convention (figure 2). Some African countries, disabled person will ensure that he/she it is to follow their instructions in voting in policies at a global and national including Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Burkina follows the will of the person with disability civic, parliamentary and presidential elections. Faso, signed and ratified the convention soon and must keep it a secret. The Act also states level. At a global level, we aimed to Despite these provisions, Article 83 (b) of identify countries in Africa that signed after the treaty was agreed. Other countries, that people with disabilities should be given including Zimbabwe and Mauritania, signed preferential treatment to go to the front of the Constitution, the Election Act of 2011 and ratified the UNCRPD, and we and ratified the protocol later (in 2013 and queues at polling stations6. which regulates the national elections, and also aimed to determine legislation 2012, respectively). To date, a few of the 54 the Local Government Act of 2010 which provisions for people with disabilities African countries have not signed or ratified the Tanzania regulates local elections, state that a person of “unsound mind” may not vote. Additionally, at a country level. convention and protocol including Botswana, In Tanzania, the Persons with Disability Act Article 99 (e) of the Constitution of Kenya also Somalia, South Sudan, Equatorial Guinea, 2010, Article 51 states that every person with 5 states that a person of “unsound mind” may Eritrea and Western Sahara . a disability who is aged 18 years and above is not be elected as a member of parliament. The entitled to enjoy and exercise political rights terms “unsound mind”, “mental infirmity” and Figure 2: A map of Africa with CRPD and Optional Protocol Signatures and opportunities as any other citizen without “mental capacity”, despite their use in several and Ratifications in Africa identified by country (source: United Nations). any form of discrimination; and have the right provisions, are not defined anywhere in the to vote, hold public office, and otherwise law and may be used to restrict people with participate in the political rights and intellectual disabilities from political and civic opportunities. The Responsible Minister shall participation. ensure that these rights and opportunities for people with disabilities are guaranteed by The Constitution also indicates that if the certifying: a) that voting materials, facilities President becomes mentally or physically and polling stations are accessible; b) training incapacitated, they may be removed from is provided for poll workers on the rights office. In the same instance, the National of people with disabilities and the practical Land Commission Acts 2012 states that the means; c) that people with disabilities are Secretary of the Commission may be removed encouraged to stand for elections; d) free from office. Additionally, the Commission for expression of will and that voting is assisted the Implementation of the Constitution Act by a person of their own choice; and e) setting 2010 states that the Chair or a member may up criteria and procedures to be applied in be removed from office if they have a physical appointing qualified people with disabilities or mental infirmity. As such, these provisions to be elected or to be appointed to represent exclude people with intellectual disabilities them7, 8. from being eligible to fill one of the dedicated representative positions for persons with disabilities. These laws potentially contradict Article 29 of the UNCRPD9.

16 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 17 In Kenya, a first-past-the-post system is used Niger Mauritania Other Countries to translate votes into seats, and 12 seats In Niger, legislation does not restrict people Mauritania’s 1991 Constitution guarantees Legislation in countries such as Guinea, Mali, are reserved for marginalised groups. In the with disabilities from voting or being the protection of human rights to everyone. Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Burundi, DRC and National Assembly, the allocation of the seats elected. Legislation provisions note that In particular, it guarantees the right to Cote D’Ivoire allows voters with disabilities is, in principle, meant to give historically states should support the elimination of all equality, the freedoms and fundamental to request the assistance of a family member underrepresented groups (including people forms of discrimination, and support the rights of humans, property rights, political or a friend to cast their vote. In Nigeria, the with disabilities) a voice in the political equality of opportunities for people with system. In the Senate, two seats are reserved and union rights, economic and social rights, Independent National Electoral Commission’s disabilities. Authors noted that no specific for members to represent people with and family rights. Article 6 of the 2006-043 procedures allow people with disabilities to measure is taken to ensure their political disabilities10. ordinance notes that the State must take jump the queue in polling units when voting or participation by the government –there are appropriate measures to allow people with registering to vote. Nigeria’s communication Burkina Faso no quotas (whereas there is a 5 per cent disabilities to access and benefit from society. policy recognises the need to communicate quota for jobs that should be filled by people Article 13 of the same ordinance notes that with people with disabilities in a targeted In Burkina Faso, legislation protects and with disabilities, although this is not always the State accords the designation of Public manner15. The Burundian Electoral Code 2014 promotes the rights of all its citizens, including respected)12. people with disabilities. Burkina Faso adopted Utility to Disabled People’s Organisations recognises that all Burundian citizens aged 18 most international and regional instruments Zimbabwe (DPOs). Under the same law, Article 11, the or older are eligible voters. However, some related to human rights. On the national level, importance of having actively involved DPOs individuals are deemed ineligible to vote due In Zimbabwe, the Constitution includes there are several legislative texts and rules in decision-making processes on behalf of to criminal history, mental illness or other disability in the non-discriminatory clauses. 14 16, 17 related to the rights of people with disabilities. people with disabilities is recognised . extenuating circumstances . In Uganda, the The government enacted the Disabled Under article 40 of law #012-2010/AN, it is 1997 Local Government Act recognises the Persons’ Act in 1992. To fulfill the provision of noted that every person with a disability has representation of people with disabilities in self-representation for people with disabilities, the same civil and political rights including all the local government levels for both males the right to vote and stand for office, unless a National Disability Board (NDB) was and females. Additionally, the Act recognises 13 they fall in to the category legally declared established after the Disabled Persons’ Act . the importance of the use of sign language as ”incapacitated”. Under the same law, it is for people with hearing impairments. In noted that equipment and electoral material Cameroon, legislation supports protection and must be appropriate and accessible to people advancement of people with disabilities and with disabilities. In the case where they the State encourages them in different aspects cannot express themselves autonomously, of social and political life18. Although no they’re allowed the assistance of a person specific legislation documents were identified of their choice or a member of the electoral for Mauritius, it has been noted on a document office to cast their vote11. that there are no restrictions on people with disabilities to vote or stand for office19.

Overall, provisions to enable the participation of people with disabilities in elections were identified for 15 African counties. The documents proclaim equal opportunities for people with disabilities to elect and be elected and refer to specific provisions, mainly personal assistance prioritisation at the polling stations.

18 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 19 Question 2: Barriers faced by people with disability Barriers at different stages of the election cycle in accessing political participation The IFES Equal Access manual suggests Electoral period that barriers to political participation may In this section we aimed to identify barriers encountered by people with disabilities The electoral period consists of much more vary by the stage of the election cycle and in accessing political participation in different settings in Africa. Very few studies than just voting: other major events include distinguishes between pre-election, election observation, campaigns, and announcing examined the levels of participation of people with disabilities in politics. A small 3 and post-election barriers . 3 scale study among 120 participants in two districts in Ghana found that 58 per cent election results . Pre-electoral period of people with disabilities showed an interest in serving in the Unit Committees Potential barriers faced by people in their electoral areas; however only four per cent actually contested and won The pre-electoral period focuses on the with disabilities: the Unit Committee elections in 2006. About 36 per cent of participants were preparation of an election which should, interested to become an electoral commission registration officer or polling ideally, support for an accessible election3. • Observers not monitoring access issues assistant; however only four per cent did serve as an assistant in both 2006 Specific challenges people with disabilities • Political parties failing to address issues and 2010 district assembly (DA) elections. face at this stage: important to voters with disabilities, or recruit candidates with disabilities Most literature agrees that the barriers captures the inter-connection among three • Pre-election technical assessments that do undermining participation of people dimensions leading to exclusion: societal not address election access issues • Party manifestos that are not in with disabilities in political processes are stigma, discriminatory legal frameworks accessible formats multi-dimensional and multi-factorial. The and infrastructure, and positive rhetoric • Discriminatory election law International Foundation for Electoral unsupported by political action (tokenism) • Inaccessible polling stations • EMB budgetary resources not allocated for (IFES) systems developed a framework that (figure 3)3. reasonable accommodations • Security forces not sensitised on how to provide a safe environment for voters Figure 3: A Venn diagram identifying the barriers encountered by people with disabilities • Inaccessible polling centres selected (Source: Equal Access Manual) with disabilities • Poll workers not trained on administering • Media outlets failing to disseminate the vote to people with disabilities information in accessible formats

• Difficulties in securing a national • An inaccessible complaints Identification (ID) card adjudication process • Voter registration conducted in Post-electoral period inaccessible locations The post-election period gives stakeholders • Voter education and information on a chance to assess the implementation of political party platforms/candidates not the election3. distributed in accessible formats Potential barriers faced by people • People with disabilities not included with disabilities: as observers • Not being involved in the ‘lessons • A lack of DPO experience in advocacy learned’ process for political rights • DPOs not being familiar with electoral rights

• Civic education that does not address the rights of persons with disabilities and is not distributed in accessible formats

• Selection criteria for election commissioners that is not disability-inclusive

20 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 21 Country-specific examples Stigma and negative social attitudes In Ghana and Malawi, all voters were required Impairment-specific barriers to appear and register in person, but there reported in the literature Social attitudes were also thought to were no registration provisions in place for Some literature argued that the degree of be strongly associated with political Barriers identified in country-specific people with physical or sensory disabilities. exclusion was often determined by the type participation. For example, over 95 per cent literature included in this review were broadly In Ghana over 50 per cent of respondents of impairment experienced by the voters. In of people with disabilities in the study in grouped into the following categories: lack said that the registration centres and polling Ghana for example, while wheelchair users Ghana reported that stigma against people of education and financial resources, stigma stations were not accessible to accommodate had difficulty in accessing polling stations, with disabilities played a major role in their and negative social attitudes, and inaccessible needs of people with physical disabilities21. deaf and blind people faced communication 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 political marginalisation. It was explained physical infrastructure . An accessibility audit undertaken in the challenges at the centres, where political that the negative attitudes towards disability 25 country in 2007 showed that although the rallies were held . Also, candidates with Lack of education and financial resources are often rooted in cultural and social norms, special and inclusive education policies hearing impairments found it difficult to where physical and sensory impairments are Available evidence generally suggests that were in place, they were not implemented interact with the public and participate often associated with punishment from God. educated people participate in politics more due to the lack of assistive technology and effectively in political debates, as there In many Ghanaian communities, for instance, than those who have not accessed education appropriately trained staff. Even the National were no sign language services or assistive people with disabilities were not allowed to 25 (25). The relationship between disability House of Parliament was not accessible technology provided . In a few places where become chiefs, even if they were part of the and education has been reported in many to people with mobility problems25. sign language interpreters were available, social elite. Those who did dare to contest studies (20-23). Therefore it is not surprising In addition, the study found that the attitude they were not appropriately trained or in political elections were often mocked, and that in this review, lower levels of education of registration officials and polling staff certified. People with visual impairments in some cases people with disabilities were among people with disabilities were found towards people with disabilities was not could not get access to printed materials, treated unfairly in the election process. As 25 to be an important barrier to their political friendly and in some cases was even hostile. as braille machines were rare . a result, many people with disabilities were engagement. For example, a study from Ghana discouraged from engaging in politics, even A paper from Kenya examined issues reported that many people with disabilities Similarly, in Liberia, some polling stations and if they were educated, aspired to contest around political participation of people with dropped out of school and were functionally polling precincts were reported to be located and had resources to finance their election intellectual disabilities. It argued that people illiterate, which impacted on their awareness on the first floor, making them inaccessible campaign. Only a few isolated cases managed 26 with intellectual disabilities experienced of their rights and their willingness to to people with physical impairments . In to win district assembly elections24, 25. challenges similar to people with physical participate in politics25. Nigeria, there were restrictions on vehicle movement on the day of the elections, which and sensory disabilities. In addition, they Physical accessibility of registration The same study from Ghana argued that prevented many people with disabilities from were systematically discriminated against in and electoral points political campaigns were very expensive. voting27. In Mozambique, mobile registration legislation. In Kenya, the majority of people Significant resources were required for Voter registration is one of the most centres were deployed in rural areas with with intellectual disabilities did not have mobilisation campaigns, which included important prerequisites for the participation the objective that no voter should travel ID cards. In many cases families or other television and radio advertisements, printing of people with disabilities in elections. If more than 10 kilometres to the registration community members had to apply on their of banners and flyers, and organising voters are not registered or their disability point. However, this standard was not always behalf as people with intellectual disabilities meetings. It was argued that many people status is not known, they may face met and some voters had to travel 30 to 40 were not viewed to be equal citizens and their with disabilities could not meet such costs. accessibility challenges on the day of the kilometres to register28. right to the ID card was questioned. Some As a result 90 per cent of study participants election or not being able to vote at all3. people with intellectual disabilities were considered the lack of financial resources accused of dishonesty when they applied for to be a major challenge obstructing their A number of papers discussed physical an ID card; others were denied a priority right participation in local politics25. accessibility of registration points and at the polling stations, as their disability was polling stations across Africa. In DRC, not obvious and they were forced to wait for election observers reported access to the hours to vote29, 30. registration centres as problematic due to the poor status of the local roads and the voters’ need to travel to their nearest centres, which in some cases was as far as 20 kilometres to the nearest centre.

22 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 23 The Kenya paper commented on gender Question 3: Strategies to support inclusive elections inequalities in political participation. It was noted that some cultural beliefs meant The review identified a number of strategies employed to increase participation women were viewed as unequal to men, of people with disabilities in political processes. These included introducing equal and questioned their civic and political opportunity legislation and policies, supporting inclusive infrastructure, and involvement; and although there were legal working with DPOs to strengthen their advocacy and participation in wider CSO provisions in Kenya designed to encourage coalitions. The review also identified a wide range of examples of international the participation of women in politics (eg the 2/3 gender rule, where two out of every development initiatives supported by various donor agencies. three people in government must be female) it did not apply to women with disabilities, Legislation and policies Adjustments of the particularly intellectual disabilities9, 29. The recognition of exclusion of people with physical infrastructure disabilities in the electoral laws grants an Measures to improve physical accessibility The paper also argued that many people with opportunity to make provisions which can of the elections and other political processes intellectual disabilities themselves did not improve equality of participation in the have been reported in a number of countries. see political participation as a priority in their electoral process. For example, Nigeria’s In DRC, it was observed that only the ground lives, as they had to face day-to-day problems 2010 Electoral Act states that people with floors of schools were used for registration related to poverty, illiteracy, high need for disabilities may request support from to avoid problems with using stairs by people care and lack of services9, 29. the registration officer to complete the with physical disabilities. Assistance was registration form. Additionally, a voter with also made available for older people with visual impairment or physical disability may be disabilities and illiterate voters17. accompanied into the polling unit by another person of their choice. Visually impaired In Mauritius, voting premises were adapted registered voters may, where available, use by ramps being installed in all polling stations, assistive tactile facilities27. and by booths at the height of wheelchair- using voters being provided19. Similarly, legislation in Sierra Leone and Kenya allows voters with physical disabilities In South Africa, people with disabilities could to be accompanied by another person of request a home visit from their registration their choice. officer to register or make changes to their registration details28. In Mauritius, the amendments of the National Assembly Elections Regulations and Municipal Election Regulations enabled disabled voters to be accompanied by a close relative19.

24 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 25 Representation of people with The government of Burkina Faso A paper on the work of the National Institute Financial and technical disabilities’ interests by DPOs established a multi-sectoral Committee for for International Affairs (NDI) reported on assistance from international Rehabilitation and Equality of Opportunities. its efforts in building coalitions with other development donors DPOs are vital partners in elections The Committee included representatives NGOs in Sudan, Lebanon, Kenya and Mali. The and political participation development of different ministries, civil society and broader coalitions were involved in drafting A few countries in Africa received financial programmes. DPOs can provide a pre-existing technical and financial partners. It was noted policies and regulations, educating voters support with the aim to improve political platform for mobilising people with disabilities that the inclusion of DPOs allowed the and monitoring the election process2. It was participation. For example, in Zimbabwe, the and representing their interests. A number of Committee to reflect on the issues related argued that coalition work allowed DPOs authors noted that as part of the country papers reported on how DPOs advocated for to the rights for people with disabilities, to acquire more rights and responsibilities, support strategy, DFID provided a grant for and/or represented the interests of people and their involvement in decision-making share their experiences with other CSOs and education of people with disabilities on their with disabilities in the electoral processes. processes11. The government also took encourage other coalition partners to take right to vote13. steps to support the establishment of CSOs a proactive approach to understanding and In Mauritania, legislation recognises the and developing mechanisms for monitoring supporting people with disabilities within In Mauritius, funding was provided to importance of DPO involvement in decision- the implementation of the UNCPRD in the their areas of work. In Mali the NDI supported DPOs and disability activists to participate in making processes and supported the country. In Zimbabwe, the development of the formation of an electoral observation international conferences related to disability emergence of multiple national civil society 19 the National Disability Board (NDB) enabled coalition known as Appui au Processus and the UNCRPD . organisations (CSOs) to protect and promote the formulation of policies that ensured that Électoral au Mali, bringing together 46 the rights of people with disabilities14. In Mauritania, the authors reported that people with disabilities lived independently CSOs, of which two were DPOs. In Lebanon DPO representatives were financially In Mauritius, disability activists and non- and had access to all social services; it also and Kenya some DPOs acquired leadership supported to take part in national, regional governmental organisations (NGOs) supported an initiative to estimate the costs positions in the coalitions which were not and international meetings. The Ministry working in the disability sector represented of the welfare and rehabilitation services related to disability. It was also noted that of Social Affairs, Children and the Family people with disabilities at the National targeting people with disabilities and made coalitions encouraged coalition partners to provided financial support to the Mauritanian Implementation and Monitoring Committee provision for people with disabilities to elect look at their internal policies and practices, Federation of People with Disabilities, which 13, 31 on the UNCRPD. A proposal was also made two senators to represent them . where (for example) a youth-focused CSO was used for organising the Pan-African to set up a national advisory task force found deficiencies in its understanding It was reported that in Ghana, DPOs had Disability Forum in Nouakchott in 2011. At formed of people with disabilities to advise of youth with disabilities; while a DPO worked with other NGOs and the European the time of publication, Mauritania was also on the implementation of the UNCRPD in recognised a need to employ more women in Commission to promote the full participation heading the Maghrebian Union of People with the country19. leadership positions2. of people with disabilities in elections since Disabilities as well as the West Africa Office of the Pan-African Organisation of People In Niger, the National Committee for 2000. It was also reported that in the 2000 In 2012, Voice of People with Disability with Disabilities14. the Promotion of Rights of People with elections, for the first time around 80 people Ghana (Voice Ghana) created a Situation Disabilities was established in 2011. Two with disabilities were involved in monitoring Room on election day to monitor accessibility In Cameroon, a project called Accessible 24 National Federations of Disabled Persons the election process . of polling stations. The authors contacted 60 elections for people with disabilities was served within the Committee and were in people with disabilities at random through developed with the support of Sightsavers and charge of monitoring and implementing the phone calls on election day and engaged several local CSOs. UNCRPD. Additionally, a project supported presiding officers to address any issues that by Handicap International enabled the were raised20. involvement of almost all DPOs in Niamey in various issues related to human rights, including the UNCRPD12.

26 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 27 Project activities: In Malawi, the EC developed specific target An overall evaluation of the programme In Liberia, USAID supported inclusive messages during the registration process, found some evidence of the progress towards electoral and political processes through the • Identification and refurbishment (ramp and developed education materials for the gender and social inclusion agendas. It was implementation of EPPSP. This project was building, providing office lights, making low general public. The messages focused on reported that 22 of the 45 projects funded implemented by the IFES, the International level tables) of 12 pilot voting booths in six the importance of voting, the new register, under this call specifically targeted exclusion Republican Institute and the NDI in 2004. regions of Cameroon where to go and what was required to issues, and some main outputs included: The project focused on the same goal – 28 • Training DPOs and people with disabilities register . The DFID-funded programme strengthening the electoral processes, multi- • Design of 3,400 tactile ballot jackets and on the legal aspects of the presidential Strengthening Transparency, Accountability party system, legislation and increased civic 5,000 sample ballot papers elections and on community sensitisation and Responsiveness (STAR) in Ghana was a participation and accountability – but each 14-month programme implemented between agency had a different role. For example, NDI • Training (on average) 40 people in each of • Arranging meetings with political leaders December 2011 and January 2013, which focused on civic education and participation the 170 districts nationwide on disability issues included the following activities: providing sub-grants to local NGOs to • Monitoring accessibility by GFD members undertake voter education and domestic • Advocacy with the Election and • Support to Ghana’s Electoral Commission at 119 out of 180 voting centres observations. IFES provided support to Referendum Management Institution to to ensure greater transparency and increase professional skills of the National include a disability field in the electoral engagement with all election stakeholders • Training 100 people with hearing Electoral Commission (NEC) staff in 2004- software used for the electoral list impairments (40 females and 60 males) 2006, while in 2006-2008 it provided support • Support to the Judicial Service in its as inclusion trainers for rolling out the to strengthen electoral reform and capacity • Supporting six spokespeople representing election adjudication function training to 1,000 other people with building. This support included technical accessible elections in the campaign • Funding to the Ghana Centre for hearing impairments guidance, training, commodity support, and NEC infrastructure26. • Supporting radio/television programmes Democratic Development to ensure an • Sensitisation of 2,605 persons with encouraging people with disabilities to impartial and independent observation of disabilities and their assistants on the participate in the electoral processes18. the compilation of a new voter roll using biometric voter registration (BVR) and biometric technology In Ghana, in 2000, the EC developed and political participation piloted a tactile ballot guide to allow visually • Support to the Police Service to detect, • Production and dissemination of impaired people to vote in secret. In the prevent and properly manage election- 30,000 materials by the Independent 2004 elections, the Ghana Federation of the related violence through the British Election Commission for people with Disabled (GFD) worked with the EC to raise High Commission awareness among people with disabilities psycho-social disabilities participating of their right to vote and on the inclusion • Support to civil society groups in the BVR exercise of the sign language interpretation. In the participating in the STAR programme • Production and dissemination of 200 same election year, members of the Ghana copies of accessibility guidelines to the Association of the Blind (GAB) were trained Electoral Commission officials20. on how to use the tactile ballot guide in every polling station. In addition, 117 disabled people – all members of the disability movement – were trained as election observers24.

28 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 29 Question 4: Impact of interventions on the participation of people with disabilities in electoral processes Overall, the majority of the documents Some authors described intermediate included in this systematic review did not outcomes of their interventions: for report the impact of the approaches and example, improved collaboration between interventions described. For example, it different NGOs or between government was reported that DRC and Mauritius took agencies and DPOs. A study from Ghana appropriate measures to ensure disability- reported that the inclusion of people with friendly environments; but to what extent disabilities in election monitoring processes these measures improved the engagement led to strengthened ties between DPOs, the of people with disabilities with political Electoral Commission, and twenty domestic institutions remained unclear. In Ghana, the CSOs. In another document from Ghana, the authors reported that there were high levels authors reported that the 2004 elections of participation of people with disabilities improved collaboration between the NEC and in the 2004 elections. But no comparative the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers measures to quantify the changes observed (CODEO). In Liberia, the authors reported were provided. In addition, the authors that the USAID programme on electoral and political processes improved the transparency argued that the higher levels of participation and fairness of the elections and strengthened were due to a number of measures, including the partnership between the NDI and IFES. tactile ballots, sign language interpreters, physical adaptation of the polling stations Some documents provided narrative and training of 117 people with disabilities descriptions of the challenges experienced as election observers. However, the during the electoral reforms. The observers contribution of each of these individual of the 2006 election in DRC stated that factors to the overall election process was the party agents generally showed a good not assessed. In Cameroon, there was no understanding of their role with regards to information on whether the selection and inclusion. However, in a few isolated cases refurbishment of 12 pilot voting booths the process was undermined by a perceived had any effect on the political participation threat to the transparency and credibility of of people with disabilities in the project the Independent Electoral Commission17. In areas. A number of documents noted that Niger, the existing legislation did not restrict empowering people with disabilities could participation of people with disabilities in the potentially improve political participation national and local elections; but no actions of people at risk of exclusion. But the impact were taken to adapt polling stations to of the empowerment interventions on the accommodate specific needs of voters with 12 participation of people with disabilities disabilities . In Ghana the evaluation report in political processes was neither clearly of the GESP noted that it successfully reached articulated nor measured. Similarly, approximately 11,000 people with disabilities. although various authors reported that the However, the programme did not advance electoral laws gave people with disabilities inclusion for socially disadvantaged groups, an opportunity to participate in electoral and did not demonstrate a socially inclusive approach. In Liberia, visually impaired voters processes, the exact impact of these laws could cast a secret ballot and people with was not reported. disabilities could observe the elections, but no further support was provided at the post- election phase26.

30 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 31 Although the reviewed documents described Limitations and strengths Conclusion a wide range of programmes and strategies, the impact of these interventions remained This systematic review is based on comprehensive searches of the literature. We This systematic review focused on four interrelated elements: policies and laws unclear. The documents identified were largely descriptive with little articulation of conducted a search on relevant databases and to ensure participation of people with disabilities in political processes in Africa; the intended effect and limited opportunities websites for published documents. In addition, barriers and enablers to political participation with a specific focus on elections; for measuring outcomes. In addition, all as part of the search strategy, we contacted approaches and interventions applied in Africa to increase political engagement of documents (with the exception of the legal experts and searched references of included people with disabilities; and the impact of the interventions applied. documents included in the review) were documents in the review for unpublished attributed ‘low confidence’ and had a high documents. Characteristics and results of We exhaustively searched a wide range There are various classifications of degree of bias, as they mainly consisted of the included documents were reliable in of databases as well as grey literature and the barriers and enablers of political grey literature in reports, case studies, press accordance with the rigorous methodology identified 54 unique documents that met participation, and some sources identified releases, dissertations and manuals. in terms of searching the literature, data our inclusion criteria. However, despite and distinguished between barriers at the extraction and appraisal of documents. identifying a reasonable amount of relevant pre-electoral, electoral and post-electoral Most documents included in the review did However, this study cannot exclude the literature sources, we found much of it to be stages. Country-specific examples showed not address any specific exclusion issues, such presence of publication bias, which is that highly descriptive in nature, with little – if any that many challenges experienced by people as gender or ethnicity, and did not identify any larger programmes and initiatives were – data on the effects of the legislation, policies with disabilities can be clustered around strategies relevant to specific population sub- more likely to be published and therefore or programmes applied. three main groups: lack of education and groups. As a result, while a thorough search of the sources included in this review are not financial resources; stigma and negative the literature has been conducted and a range representative of all information available Overall, the documents identified were social attitudes; and inaccessible physical of examples from different countries has been diverse in their scope and content. Nine on this subject. In addition, this review may infrastructure. Literature also refers to identified, the review concludes that political be prone to language bias as it only included documents focused on the global level; impairment-specific barriers and there is inclusion activities in Africa are poorly the remaining ones were country–specific, documents written in English, Portuguese and some evidence to suggest that people with documented and it is impossible to draw any French. It did not identify documents written with the majority of documents providing intellectual disabilities may be at highest risk definitive inferences on which interventions information on Ghana and Nigeria. in languages other than those stated in the of political exclusion. work, where and for whom. Most of the inclusion criteria. sources identified were of low quality, With regards to policies and legislation, the Many documents had information on the review shows that the majority of African which suggests the need for high quality strategies to support inclusive political research using explicit theory of change and countries ratified important disability-focused processes. These included inclusive legislation legislation, including provisions for improved rigorous measurements of the effect of the and policies, adjustments of physical tested interventions. participation of people with disabilities in infrastructure of the registration and polling political institutions. The documents proclaim stations, and mobilising and empowering equal opportunities for people with disabilities people with disabilities using the structures to elect and be elected, and refer to specific and capacities of local CSOs and DPOs. measures, mainly personal assistance and Evidence suggests that many strategies prioritisation at the polling stations. However, and interventions supporting political the review also found that the implementation participation are implemented in Africa with of the legislation varies greatly between strong financial and technical support from countries; and despite progressive policies and international development partners. laws being in place, people with disabilities continue to suffer from discrimination and exclusion in many contexts.

32 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 33 References

1. International Foundation for Electoral 11. Permanent Mission of Burkina Faso to 20. Strengthening Transparency, 26. Electoral Institute for sustainable Systems. The Convention on the Rights of the Office of the United Nations. 2011. Accountability and Responsiveness democracy in Africa. EISA Technical Persons with Disabilities and the Optional in Ghana. STAR-Ghana election call assessment team and election observer Protocol. 2012. 12. Permanent mission of Niger to the United roundtable discussion: Summary mission report. 2012. Nations. 2011. report 2015. 2. National Democratic Institute. Civic 27. The Commonwealth. Nigeria Presidential Update: Mainstreaming Persons with 13. Permanent Mission to the UN and 21. Voice of People with Disability Ghana. and National Assembly Elections. 2015. Disabilities. 2012. other International Organisations Position Paper Establishing Baseline for at Geneva. 2011. PWDs Inclusion and Participation in the 28. Electoral Institute for Sustainable 3. International Foundation for Electoral Democracy in AFrica. Voter registration in 14. Ministère des Affaires Sociales, de Electoral Processes in the Agortime-Ziofe Systems, National Democratic Institute. and Adaklu Districts. 2014. africa: A Comparative Analysis. 2010. Equal access: How to include persons l’Enfance et de la Famille. 2011 29. Inclusive International. Accessing the with disabilties in elections and political 15. Independent National Electoral 22. Voice of People with Disability Ghana. processes. 2014. Political Governance for Persons with ballot box: Inclusive civic engagement for Commission. INEC News: people with disabilities - An information Communication Policy/Strategy Disabilities: A Study on the Level of 4. Sightsavers. Empowerment and inclusion: Participation of Persons with Disabilities toolkit for governments. 2015. strategic framework 2015. 2015. for INEC [cited 2016 17/06/2016]. Available from: http://www.inecnigeria. in Local Governance. 2014. 30. International Institute for Democracy 5. United Nations. CRPD Latest org/?inecnews=communication- 23. Voice of People with Disability Ghana. and Electoral Assistance. Improving Developments. 2016 policystrategy-for-inec. Position paper establishing baseline for Electoral Practices: Case Studies and Practical Approaches. International 6. International Foundation for Electoral 16. International Foundation for Electoral PWDs inclusion and participation in the Electoral Processes in the Agortime-Ziofe Institute for Democracy and Electoral Systems. Elections in Sierra Leone: Systems. Elections in Burundi: frequently Assistance. 2014. Frequently Asked Questions. 2012. asked questions 2015. and Adaklu Districts. 2014 31. International Foundation for Electoral 7. International Foundation for Electoral 17. Electoral Institute for sustainable 24. Mensah Osman WJ, Atta-Ankomah Richmond, Mjomba Mboje. Contextual Systems. Elections in Zimbabwe: Systems. Elections in the United Republic democracy in Africa. EISA Observer Frequently Asked Questions. 2013. of Tanzania: Frequently Asked Questions. mission report: D. R. Congo 2007. analysis of the disability situation in 2015. Ghana. JMK Research Consulting: 2008. 18. Republique de Cameroun. Reponse 8. Persons with Disabilities Act, 2010: Key du Gouvernement sur la Mise en Oeuvre 25. Sackey E. Disability and political Issues. 2010. et l’Application de la Resolution 16/15 participation in Ghana: an alternative du Conseil des Droits de L’Homme perspective. Scandinavian Journal of 9. Inclusive International. CRPD Compliance Relative aux Droits des Personnes Disability Research. 2014;17(4):366-81. Analysis: Kenya. A Country-level Review Handicapées. 2011. of Compliance with CRPD Article 29. 2015. 19. Permanent Mission of the Republic of Mauritius to the United Nations. 2011. 10. International Foundation for Electoral Systems. Elections in Kenya: Frequently asked questions 2013.

34 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 35 Appendix 1 – Search terms Appendix 2 – Search strategy

A list of search terms used to search the literature on databases. Databases (search conducted in March 2016) #1 (“Disabled young women” OR “Disabled #2 “sub-Saharan Africa” OR “Angola” OR A list of platforms and each of their databases searched in March 2016. middle aged women” OR “Disabled women” “Benin” OR “Botswana” OR “Burundi” OR OR “Disabled men” OR “Multiply disabled “Cameroon” OR “Cape Verde” OR “Central Platform Databases women” OR “Low income disabled people” African republic” OR “Chad” OR “Comoros” OR “Multiply disabled people” OR “Disabled OR “Congo” OR “Cote d’Ivoire” OR “Djibouti” EBSCO • EconLit young people” OR “Sensory impaired young OR “Equatorial Guinea” OR “Guinea” OR • Library, information Science and technology abstracts people” OR “Disabled young adults” OR “Guinea-Bissau” OR “Eritrea” OR “Ethiopia” • eBook Collection “Visually impaired people” OR “Visually OR “Gabon” OR “The Gambia” OR “Ghana” impaired young people” OR “Back injured OR “Kenya” OR “Lesotho” OR “Liberia” OR Ovid • PsycINFO (1806-2016) people” OR “Blind people” OR “Blind-Deaf “Madagascar” OR “Malawi” OR “Mauritania” • Social Policy and Practice people” OR “Deaf people” OR “Disfigured OR “Mauritius” OR “Mozambique” OR people” OR “Facially disfigured people” OR “Namibia” OR “Niger” OR “Nigeria” OR Web of Science (core module) • Social Sciences Citation Index “Hearing impaired people” OR “Housebound “Reunion” OR “Rwanda” OR “Sao Tome and • Science Citation Index Expanded people” OR “Amputees” OR “Blindness” OR principe” OR “Senegal” OR “Seychelles” OR • Arts and Humanities Citation Index “Eye diseases” OR “Eye injuries” OR “River “Sierra Leone” OR “Somalia” OR “South Africa” blindness” OR “Visual impairment” OR OR “Swaziland” OR “Tanzania” OR “Togo” OR Science Direct • Social Sciences and Humanities (Psychology; “Deafness” OR “Occupational deafness” OR “Uganda” OR “Western Sahara” OR “Zambia” Social Sciences) “Hearing impairment” OR “Occupational OR “Zimbabwe” hearing impairment” OR “Functional ProQuest • IBSS (International bibliography of the Social impairment” OR “Impairment” OR “Sensory #3 (“civic” OR “civics” OR “citizen*” OR Sciences) impairment” OR “Limb deficiencies” OR “politic*” OR “participation” OR “inclusion” OR • Sociological abstracts “exclusion” OR “Vote” OR “elections”) “Amputation” OR “Chronic back pain” OR • Political Science “Long term back pain” OR “Chronic pain” OR The search terms #1, #2 and #3 were “Industrial injuries” OR “Injuries” OR “Chronic combined for each database IDEA • International Institute for democracy and electoral sickness” OR “Long term sickness” OR Assistance (website) “Physical sickness”) ELDIS • ELDIS

Africa Portal • Africa Portal

The Campbell Collaboration • The Campbell Collaboration

EPPI Centre • EPPI Centre

36 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 37 Websites (search conducted in March 2016) Appendix 3 – Data extract and A list of websites searched in March 2016. critical appraisal form • www.electionaccess.org/en/ • The Commonwealth • www.usaid.gov • The European Commission Data extraction form • www.un.org/development/desa/ • African Centre for Democracy and Human disabilities/ Rights Studies Reviewer guidance • inclusion-international.org/ • Disabled Peoples’ International • Be consistent in the order and style you use to describe the information for each included study. • www.countrywatch.com/ • World Blind Union • Record any missing information as unclear, not described, or not applicable. • www.asksource.info/ • World Federation of the deafblind • Second and third reviewers should be consulted regarding any uncertainties. • www.issafrica.org/ • Disability World www.disabilityworld.org/ • makeeverywomancount. org/index.php?option=com_ • aceproject.org/ace-en/focus/disability/ content&view=article&id=2745&Itemid=170 default Study ID • Handicap International website • National Democratic Institute (www.ndi.org/) • International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) • eisa.org.za/ • UN Democracy Fund • Global accessibility (http:// Study Details globalaccessibilitynews.com/?s=elections) • African Union Citation

Authors and organisations for contacting (contacted in March 2016) Year of publication(s)

A list of authors and organisations contacted in March 2016. Author(s) • National electoral commissions • Disabled Peoples’ International Lead author contact details • African Union • World Federation of the deafblind Funder / sponsoring organisation • The Commonwealth • National Democratic Institute (ndi.org) Publication type • The European Union External Action • Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa • Report(specify) • African Centre for Democracy • Case study and Human Rights Studies • Other

Geographical Coverage • Country/ Region

38 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 39 Study Details Law and policies Please specify, laws and policies mentioned in place to ensure the participation of people with disabilities in national, district and local elections? Sector A report may focus on one or Law more sectors such as: • National, district and local • Technologies (e.g. voting, registration etc) Policy • Policy • National, district and local • Law • Registration • Practice/approach Barriers of participation of people with disabilities in elections (including electoral codes) Please be specific and concise • Barriers • Enablers • Etc

Publication Source

Methodology (if applicable) Enablers of participation of people with disabilities in elections • Study design • Type of data Please be specific and concise • No. of studies included • Location/setting

Study Population Approaches and Interventions Disability Please specify approaches and interventions that have been employed to increase the participation of people with disabilities • Please specify type of disability • Please specify definition of Intervention classification disability used eg functional • Media or medical and Moderate or • Campaigns Severe • Assistance Age • Means of communication • Off-site voting Sex • training in electoral systems

40 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 41 Approaches and Interventions Appraisal form Please specify approaches and interventions that have been employed to increase the Disability-inclusive election – critical appraisal checklist tool participation of people with disabilities Developed using CERQual approach1, CASP tool2 and AACODS3 Intervention • Who implemented it • How long did it last / how many times did it happen? 1. Authority • Who funded it and how much Identifying who is responsible for the ▢ Yes did it cost intellectual content ▢ Partially Intervention ▢ No • Who implemented it Individual authors: ▢ Can’t tell • How long did it last / how many • Associated with a reputable times did it happen? organisation? Notes/comments: • Who funded it and how much • Produced/published in the work in the did it cost field? • Recognised expert, or identified in other Key Findings sources or cited by others? • Impact measured on the participation of people with Organisation: disabilities as a results of identified interventions • Is it reputable? • How was the impact measured? • Is it an authority in the field?

Applicability to other countries in Sub Saharan Africa

Further information on the participation of people with disabilities in local, national 2. Accuracy and district elections Was there a clear statement of the aims? ▢ Yes ▢ Partially ▢ No ▢ Can’t tell Recommendations Notes/comments:

Identifiable references for follow up

42 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 43 2a. If yes… 3b. Data: Methods

Are the aims met? ▢ Yes Has the research design been clearly ▢ Yes ▢ Partially stated? ▢ No ▢ No ▢ Can’t tell Notes/comments:

Notes/comments:

3c. Data: Ethics

Have ethical issues been taken into ▢ Yes 3. Empirical data consideration? ▢ Partially Does the paper present primary empirical ▢ Yes ▢ No data? ▢ No • Research explained to participants, ▢ Can’t tell • Informed consent obtained, ▢ Not Applicable If yes, go to 3a, b and c Notes/comments: • Participant confidentiality, • Approval from ethics committee If no, go to 4 Notes/comments: • Specific issues around vulnerable groups accounted for.

3a. Data: Participants

Is the data set appropriate to meet the ▢ Yes 4. Potential for Bias aims of the study? ▢ Partially ▢ No Has potential for bias been discussed and ▢ Yes • Participants (recruitment/selection, ▢ Can’t tell findings interpreted appropriately? ▢ Partially justification ) ▢ No • Setting Notes/comments: • Has the potential for bias due to ▢ Can’t tell methodological reasons been discussed? • Opinion, expert or otherwise, is still opinion: is the author’s standpoint clear? Notes/comments: • Does the work seem to be balanced in e.g. observation bias not reported presentation?

44 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 45 5. Richness for data Overvall Confidence

Does the data reported in the study ▢ Yes provide enough detail to justify the ▢ Partially High confidence ▢ High confidence findings presented? ▢ No It is highly likely that the review finding ▢ Moderate confidence ▢ Can’t tell is a reasonable representation of the ▢ Low confidence • Sample size phenomenon of interest. • Type of the data collected – (applicable when all the answers to the primary or secondary Notes/comments: questions are ‘yes’) Notes/comments:

Moderate It is likely that the review finding is a reasonable representation of the phenomenon of interest. (applicable when any of the following are 6. Relevance ‘Partially’: 1, 2a, 3b, 3b1, 4; ‘No’: 4) Are the findings presented applicable to ▢ Yes Yes – 1,2,2a,3,3b,3c,4,5,6,7 Partially – 3a,3b1 the context specified in the study? ▢ Partially Cant tell – 3b1 ▢ No

Low Notes/comments: It is not clear whether the review finding is a reasonable representation of the phenomenon of interest. (applicable when any of the following are ‘No’ or ‘Can’t tell’: 1, 3, 5, 6,7,4)

7. Coherence 1. https://cerqual.org/ Does the study discuss how findings ▢ Yes 2. http://media.wix.com/ugd/dded87_29c5b002d99342f788c6ac670e49f274.pdf 3. http://greylitstrategies.info/news/aacods-grey-literature-appraisal-scheme-adopted-uk-health-agencies compare and contrast to other research ▢ Partially findings from other studies in the same ▢ No field?

Notes/comments:

46 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 47 We work with partners in developing countries to eliminate avoidable blindness and promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities www.sightsavers.org

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