Novat Joseph Mwijage is a blind person with a dream of winning a seat in a local government election. Photo: Courtesy election
By Mutayoba Arbogast
Political parties have been urged to actively support and authorize people with disabilities to contest for leadership positions in the upcoming local elections scheduled for November this year. Novat Joseph Mwijage, Secretary of the Tanzania League of the Blind (TLB) in Bukoba municipality, made the call during an interview with Radio Karagwe 91.4 FM.
Mwijage, 44, a resident of Nyakanyasi in Bukoba ward, became blind in 1980 due to severe eye pain (ophthalmagia). Despite his disability, he supports his family through small businesses, including stone-splitting. He has contested multiple times for positions such as local government chairman and ward councilor under the ruling CCM party, though without success. However, Mwijage remains determined and encourages other people with disabilities to confidently pursue leadership positions.
"Political parties should ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunity to contest for leadership positions based on their capabilities, rather than dismissing them simply because of their disabilities," Mwijage said.
Reflecting on past local and national elections, he noted that while some individuals with disabilities attempted to run for office, many were not endorsed by their political parties. Mwijage emphasized that political parties often lack the will to support candidates with disabilities, especially those who are blind or visually impaired, leaving them marginalized.
He highlighted that the government has clear regulations ensuring the electoral rights of people with disabilities, but these are rarely implemented. Additionally, Mwijage pointed out that people with disabilities often face stigma and a lack of resources, which discourages many from participating in politics.
A significant barrier, he said, is the refusal by political agents to accept thumbprint signatures from blind candidates. He questioned why thumbprints, accepted in official identification processes like the National Identification Authority (NIDA), are rejected in electoral processes.
Mwijage called for greater recognition of the rights of people with disabilities in political participation, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and various UN conventions. He urged political parties to fully integrate people with disabilities into the electoral process and ensure they are given equal opportunities to run for office.
"The blind and visually impaired deserve to be seen as full citizens, with the right to vote and be elected, just like anyone else," Mwijage concluded.