2027 Elections: INEC Moves to Boost Participation of Persons With Disabilities
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 leaders as part of efforts to increase the participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the 2027 general elections.
The engagement, which focused on sensitisation and mobilisation, is aimed at ensuring that eligible voters with disabilities have access to relevant electoral information and are able to participate meaningfully at all stages of the electoral process.
Representing the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, the Acting Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, described the engagement as timely, given the increasing preparations for the 2027 elections.
Gumus reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to an electoral process that is inclusive, accessible and responsive to the needs of all eligible voters.
She said the participation of PWDs was backed by legal and policy frameworks, including 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 in the Electoral Process.
The Acting Chairman called for innovative approaches to voter education, including disability-specific communication channels, community-based organisations, radio, social media and other assistive formats.
INEC disclosed that its available data, compiled before the introduction of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, put the number of registered Persons with Disabilities at 137,487.
The figure comprises 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 other OPDs to take ownership of the sensitisation campaign by reaching their members across the various disability clusters with information on voter registration, Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), voting procedures, accessibility arrangements and other aspects of the electoral process.
She said the engagement would provide an opportunity for stakeholders to identify barriers confronting PWDs, exchange successful strategies and develop practical measures for implementation before, during and after the 2027 elections.
The Director of Gender and Inclusivity at INEC, Mrs. Lakunuya Dorothy Bello, also highlighted some accessibility measures already introduced by the Commission.
These include Braille ballot guides, magnifying glasses, the EC30 PWD form and sign-language interpretation during collation activities.
The Commission said sustained collaboration with disability organisations would be critical to ensuring that eligible voters with disabilities are adequately informed and supported throughout the electoral process.
