INEC targets 264,798 voters with disabilities for polls

From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified 264,798 voters with disabilities across the country as it moves to remove barriers to their participation and boost turnout in the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed the figure at a national strategy engagement with the leadership of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Abuja.

Represented by National Commissioner Rhoda Gumus, Amupitan said the engagement was designed to strengthen collaboration with disability organisations and develop practical strategies for increased participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the elections.

A breakdown presented by the commission showed 137,487 voters in a general PWD category, 13,080 visually impaired persons, 9,299 with hearing impairment, 30,561 persons with albinism and 19,430 with physical impairment.

Another 54,941 were classified under other categories, bringing the total to 264,798.

INEC said the figures reinforced the need for sustained voter education and targeted mobilisation to ensure that eligible voters with disabilities were not excluded from the electoral process.

“Today’s meeting reflects the commission’s commitment to promoting an electoral process that is inclusive, accessible, participatory and responsive to the needs of all eligible citizens, including Persons with Disabilities.

“As we prepare for the 2027 General Election, it is important that we strengthen our collaboration with JONAPWD, OPDs and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that no eligible voter is left behind.”

The commission formally set the 2027 electoral process in motion earlier this year and has been undertaking preparations for the nationwide polls, including work on the voters’ register.

The commission said its partnership with JONAPWD and other disability organisations was critical because achieving inclusive elections could not be left to the electoral body alone.

“This partnership between INEC, JONAPWD and OPDs is particularly important because disability inclusion cannot be achieved by the commission alone. It requires the collective efforts of disability organisations, civil society organisations and, most importantly, PWDs themselves,” it said.

INEC urged participants to identify obstacles confronting voters with disabilities and propose measures to improve access to electoral information, communication and voting facilities as well as participation as candidates.

“As we deliberate today, I encourage participants to provide practical recommendations that will strengthen the commission’s existing interventions and help address barriers relating to accessibility, information, communication, voting, participation as candidates and overall inclusion,” Amupitan said.

He urged the stakeholders to ensure that recommendations from the engagement were translated into measures that could be implemented at both national and state levels.

The commission has said preparations for the 2027 elections include cleaning up and strengthening the national voters’ register, which contained 93,469,008 voters as of the 2023 general election.

Amupitan said effective participation of PWDs would require sustained cooperation among INEC, disability organisations, civil society and voters themselves.

“The success of our collective efforts will depend on our ability to translate these discussions into concrete actions that can be implemented both at the national and state levels,” he said.