The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced consultations with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and cluster heads to boost the participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the 2027 general elections.
The engagement focused on sensitisation and mobilisation, with the aim of ensuring that eligible voters with disabilities are adequately informed, reached and able to participate meaningfully throughout the electoral process.
Representing INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, the Acting Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, said the engagement was timely as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
Gumus reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to an electoral process that is inclusive, accessible and responsive to the needs of all eligible citizens.
She cited Section 54 of the Electoral Act 2026, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 and INEC’s Framework on Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities as key instruments supporting the participation of PWDs.
INEC disclosed that its available data, compiled before the introduction of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, captured 137,487 Persons with Disabilities.
The figure includes 13,080 visually impaired persons, 9,299 hearing-impaired persons, 30,561 persons with albinism, 19,430 persons with physical impairments and 54,941 persons under other disability categories.
Gumus urged JONAPWD and OPDs to intensify sensitisation among their members on voter registration, PVC collection, voting procedures, accessibility measures and other aspects of the electoral process.
She said the engagement would enable stakeholders to identify barriers to participation, share practical solutions and agree on measures to be implemented before, during and after the elections.
INEC’s Director of Gender and Inclusivity, Mrs. Lakunuya Dorothy Bello, said the Commission had introduced measures such as Braille ballot guides, magnifying glasses, the EC30 PWD form and sign-language interpretation during collation activities to improve accessibility.
She added that strategies agreed upon at the national level would be replicated across the states through Resident Electoral Commissioners, Electoral Officers and other relevant officials.
JONAPWD National President, Mr. Abdullahi Aliyu Usman, commended INEC for the initiative but called for wider consultations with disability stakeholders.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Barrister Ayuba Gufwan Burki, also called for stronger collaboration to ensure that Nigerians with disabilities can fully participate in the democratic process.
Founder and CEO of TAF Africa, Jake Epelle, described the engagement as timely and urged INEC to complement its progress on priority voting with improved polling-unit accessibility and targeted voter education.
