The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced strategic engagement with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and cluster heads to boost the participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the 2027 general elections.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the engagement, focused on sensitisation and mobilisation, aims to ensure eligible voters with disabilities are adequately informed and meaningfully involved at every stage of the electoral process.
In a post on INEC’s X handle, Acting Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, representing INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the Commission remains committed to building an inclusive, accessible and responsive electoral process, citing legal backing under Section 54 of the Electoral Act 2026 and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018.
According to INEC data compiled before the introduction of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, 137,487 persons with disabilities were recorded, comprising 13,080 visually impaired persons, 9,299 hearing-impaired persons, 30,561 persons with albinism, 19,430 with physical impairments and 54,941 under other categories.
Gumus urged JONAPWD and OPDs to take ownership of the sensitisation process, ensuring members receive timely information on voter registration, PVC collection and accessibility measures. Director of Gender and Inclusivity, Lakunuya Dorothy Bello, highlighted existing accessibility measures, including Braille ballot guides, magnifying glasses, the EC30 PWD form and sign-language interpretation during collation.
CDA News Nigeria will continue monitoring INEC’s preparations ahead of the 2027 general election.
Source verification: Adapted from Punch Newspapers reporting. CDA News Nigeria adheres to strict editorial standards.
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