In a major push for democratic inclusivity, over 300 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were successfully registered to vote at the Mega IDP camp in Makurdi, Benue State.
The exercise, which drew massive lines of displaced families, focused on restoring the civic rights of citizens who have lost almost everything to insecurity and forced displacement.
The initiative was driven by TAF Africa under its flagship #Able2Vote campaign, in a strategic partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The intervention received critical backing from the European Union in Nigeria (EU in Nigeria) under the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme, ensuring that the upcoming elections do not leave marginalized populations behind.
Reclaiming a Lost Identity
For many residents of the camp, the exercise was less about politics and more about reclaiming their humanity. In a statement tracking the day’s impact, a representative from TAF Africa emphasized the profound resilience of the displaced community, noting that the turnout proved the enduring desire of the residents to shape their own future.
“Displacement took a lot from these families. Today, displacement didn’t take their vo
te,” TAF Africa stated. “Lines formed — not for relief items, but for something just as vital: a voice.”
Overcoming the Chaos of Displacement
Beyond fresh voter registrations, the joint team provided critical electoral services to address the unique challenges faced by displaced populations. Electoral officers successfully guided numerous individuals through transferring their polling units closer to the camp, ensuring they would not have to risk traveling to unsafe home regions to vote.
Furthermore, officials issued replacement slips to those who had lost their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the chaos of displacement, handing them a critical second chance to participate in the democratic process. By bringing the registration desks directly into the camp, the initiative successfully removed the geographic and financial barriers that typically disenfranchise displaced Nigerians.
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