Yaoundé, October 9, 2026
The “Accessible Elections for Persons With Disabilities” Platform held a press briefing today to present its strategy for the upcoming electoral deadlines.
The presentation of the Platform was made by Boniface Mvondo Koto, President of the Executive Bureau.
THE ASSESSMENT: FIGURES THAT RAISE QUESTIONS
According to ELECAM data, there are 32,000 people with disabilities registered on the electoral lists, representing a potential of nearly 200,000 votes including their families and loved ones.
However:
- No people with disabilities in Parliament (National Assembly and Senate)
- Only 14 Municipal Councilors
- Only 2 Regional Councilors
This is a paradox given the favorable legal framework: Cameroon’s Constitution, the 2010 Law on the Protection of PWDs, the UN Convention on the Rights of PWDs, and the African Charter.
The Platform has structured its diagnostic around 5 axes:
- Elections
- Decentralization
- Inclusive education
- Progress and accommodations already achieved
- Advocacy and Inclusion
OUTLOOK: THE TIME FOR ACTION
The Platform announces:
- A major media and communication campaign from October 20 to December 2026
- A call for support from all partners (ELECAM, MINAT, political parties, media)
- A capacity-building seminar for PWD candidates running for elections
A declaration entitled “Declaration of Persons with Disabilities” was read by Julien Nga Ebede. It calls for:
Effective inclusion of people with disabilities in general and visually impaired people in particular on candidate lists, an increase in their number in various municipal and regional councils, and an effective presence in the various chambers of Parliament.
THE HIGHLIGHT: THE INTERVENTION OF ANAC
During the Q&A session, Léopold Assiene Ndiomo, Executive Director of the National Association of the Blind of Cameroon (ANAC), delivered a highly applauded intervention.
He welcomed the launch of this awareness campaign, while urging people with disabilities not to sit back and wait for a possible magnanimity from political parties.
“Which would look like begging. We must first take an interest in the management of public affairs, by registering massively on electoral lists, militating in political parties, showing our commitment, our work force, our capacity for mobilization and persuasion of potential voters. Nothing is given in politics; freedom, just like autonomy, must be fought for and seized.”
He praised the courage of his peers who have succeeded in making a place for themselves, such as Mrs. Juimo Odette, present in the room, whom he urged not to give up. “A victory is savored after a good fight.”
The press briefing was expertly moderated by Théophile Boulom, who is blind, in the presence of numerous leaders of organizations of people with disabilities and representatives of political parties.
Text: Etienne Didier ONANA
Photo credit: Félix EYEBE
For more photos, see the gallery: https://anac-nabc.org/gallery/2026/10/11/inclusion-politique-des-personnes-handicapees-la-plate-forme-accessible-elections-for-pwd-lance-une-vaste-campagne-yaounde-le-09-octobre-2026/
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