Disability Inclusion in Focus


ZAFOD Pushes for Equal Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities Ahead of 2026 Elections

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka, Zambia24, July 8, 2026 — The Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD) has called for affirmative action to ensure persons with disabilities fully participate in Zambia’s 2026 General Elections.

ZAFOD said while efforts to improve accessibility have increased, persons with disabilities continue to face barriers that limit their participation in political processes.

The federation praised the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) for providing a sign language interpreter during a recent edition of Race to Mandahill featuring a candidate with hearing impairment.

However, ZAFOD Federal Director Justine Bbakali said providing an interpreter alone was not enough to guarantee meaningful inclusion.

Bbakali said programmes involving candidates with disabilities should provide adequate time for interpretation to allow them to communicate effectively and participate on an equal basis.

He said affirmative action was not about giving persons with disabilities an unfair advantage but about addressing longstanding barriers that have prevented their full participation in society.

Bbakali said equal treatment requires providing the necessary support and reasonable accommodation to ensure all citizens have a fair opportunity to engage in democratic processes.

He said many political rallies, media programmes and campaign messages remain inaccessible because they lack sign language interpretation, Braille materials, audio descriptions and other accessible communication formats.

“As a result, many persons with disabilities are unable to access information needed to make informed electoral choices,” Bbakali said.

He urged political parties, independent candidates and campaign teams to make disability inclusion a central part of their campaign strategies ahead of the elections.

Bbakali also called on media organisations to consistently provide sign language interpretation, make reasonable adjustments to programmes and ensure election-related information is available in accessible formats.

He further urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), political parties, civil society organisations and development partners to ensure voter education materials and election information are provided in Braille, sign language, audio and other accessible formats.

Bbakali said disability inclusion should be viewed as a human rights issue rather than an act of charity, stressing that every citizen has the right to participate equally in Zambia’s democratic process.

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