The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring full electoral inclusion for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) during the 2027 General Elections. Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Imo, Mr Chukwuemeka Ibeziako, made this assurance in Owerri during a workshop on Disability Inclusion, Accessibility, and Effective Deployment of INEC's adaptive interventions. The Electoral Act mandates INEC to deploy special provisions accommodating voters with special needs.
Ibeziako emphasized that INEC is actively engaging with all segments of society to guarantee that every eligible citizen participates seamlessly in shaping the nation's democratic processes. He disclosed that plans are underway to produce braille voter guides, enabling visually impaired electorate to cast votes independently without relying on aides or compromising secrecy. Specialized attention will be accorded to PWDs, elderly voters, pregnant women, and nursing mothers at polling units to prevent undue stress during voting.
The workshop aims to harvest genuine fears, concerns, and recommendations from stakeholders, with similar awareness sessions to be cascaded to all local government areas. Deputy Director of the Gender and Inclusivity Department at INEC Headquarters, Mrs Habiba Jatto, emphasized that disability inclusion remains central to a participatory democracy. The commission's commitment is anchored on Section 54 of the Electoral Act, 2026 (as amended) and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
Jatto explained that the workshop focuses on deploying assistive tools, such as braille ballot guides, EC30 PWD instruction posters, and magnifying glasses for persons with albinism. She urged Electoral Officers and disability cluster heads to strengthen grassroots voter education in special schools, camps, and settlements to ensure no eligible voter is disenfranchised in 2027. Effective deployment, utilization, and monitoring of inclusive interventions are critical areas that should not be taken for granted.
The state Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Mr Chidubem Uzodinma, thanked INEC for recognizing political participation as a fundamental right. However, he decried physical barriers at many polling units, which makes most PWDs lack the energy to exercise their franchise. Uzodinma called for dedicated ballot boxes to further assist PWDs during voting and advocated comprehensive orientation for security personnel deployed on election duties.
The state Director of the National Orientation Agency, Mrs Stellamaris Oparaugo, represented by Mrs Mercy Nwosu, assured INEC of sustained grassroots sensitization ahead of the 2027 General Elections. Oparaugo urged PWDs to take advantage of the commission's inclusive infrastructure and recommended targeted training for electoral officers on adaptive voting equipment and procedures.
INEC's commitment to electoral inclusion for PWDs is a significant step towards ensuring that all eligible citizens participate in the democratic process. The commission's efforts to deploy assistive tools and provide specialized attention to PWDs at polling units will help to prevent undue stress during voting.
Key points
- INEC pledges to produce braille voter guides for visually impaired electorate.
- Specialized attention to be accorded to PWDs, elderly voters, pregnant women, and nursing mothers at polling units.
- INEC to cascade awareness sessions to all local government areas.
