Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched a strategic drive to boost voter turnout and engagement among persons with disabilities (PWDs) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The electoral body opened consultations with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), alongside various disability cluster heads and advocacy groups, to dismantle systemic barriers to voting.
Speaking on behalf of INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, Acting Chairman Prof. Rhoda Gumus urged disability advocacy groups to lead community-level mobilization on registration, voting procedures, and polling unit accessibility.
“The Commission is committed to building an electoral process that is inclusive, accessible, participatory, and responsive to the needs of all eligible citizens,” Prof. Gumus said, pointing to legal backing under Section 54 of the Electoral Act 2026 and the 2018 Disability Prohibition Act.
INEC figures gathered before the introduction of its Automated Fingerprint Identification System show 137,487 registered voters with disabilities. The breakdown includes:
- Physical impairments: 54,941 (other categories combined) and 19,430 (mobility-related)
- Albinism: 30,561
- Visual impairments: 13,080
- Hearing impairments: 9,299
Mrs. Lakunuya Dorothy Bello, INEC’s Director of Gender and Inclusivity, highlighted practical tools designed to support voters at polling stations, such as Braille ballot guides, magnifying glasses, dedicated EC30 PWD tracking forms, and sign-language interpreters during vote collation.
Add Comment