INEC Pledges to Ensure PWDs Are Not Excluded from 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities (PWDs) are not excluded from Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The Commission said it was working to improve accessibility, voter education, security and participation for eligible voters with disabilities throughout the electoral process.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance at a high-level technical engagement on disability-inclusive election security and protection protocols organised by The Albino Foundation (TAF Africa) in Abuja.

Amupitan said the credibility of an election depended not only on the voting process but also on whether every eligible citizen could participate freely, safely and without discrimination.

He identified intimidation, insecurity, inaccessible polling units and communication barriers as challenges that could prevent persons with disabilities from exercising their voting rights.

The INEC chairman outlined measures to address these challenges, including the adoption of disability-inclusive security protocols, specialised training for police officers and improved coordination among election management and security agencies.

He also called for accessible channels through which persons with disabilities could report incidents of intimidation, discrimination and electoral violence, as well as sustained engagement with organisations representing them.

Amupitan stressed that electoral security arrangements must protect the dignity, privacy, independence and freedom of choice of voters with disabilities.

He said the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2026 provide for priority access, appropriate assistance and assistive voting materials for persons with disabilities.

The chairman also urged security agencies to incorporate disability-related concerns into their election preparations, including risk assessments, personnel training, deployment plans and emergency response procedures.

The initiative builds on INEC’s earlier engagement with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and other disability organisations to strengthen mobilisation and sensitisation ahead of the elections.

At a September engagement, the Commission disclosed that its voter database contained 137,487 persons with disabilities in figures compiled before the introduction of its Automated Fingerprint Identification System.

INEC said it would work with disability organisations to improve access to voter information, registration services, polling facilities and other aspects of the electoral process.

The Commission’s commitment is aimed at ensuring that disability does not prevent eligible Nigerians from participating as voters, candidates, party officials or election stakeholders in 2027.