The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged security agencies to protect voters with disabilities from discrimination, intimidation and insecurity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan made the call Friday at a meeting on disability-inclusive election security in Abuja.
The event brought together the police, other security agencies, disability rights groups and development partners.
Amupitan said credible elections must allow every eligible Nigerian to vote freely and safely, regardless of disability.
“An election cannot be considered inclusive if persons with disabilities or other vulnerable groups face intimidation, insecurity or other barriers to exercising their rights,” he said.
The chairman identified five priorities for the 2027 elections: clear security guidelines for protecting voters with disabilities, training security personnel on disability rights, better coordination among agencies, accessible channels for reporting incidents and continued engagement with disability rights groups.
He said security officers must understand the different needs of voters.
People with hearing impairments may need visual communication, while those with visual impairments may require verbal guidance.
Voters with limited mobility also need accessible polling units.
“We must not sabotage the voters’ independence or privacy.
It must be respectful and proportionate assistance,” Amupitan said.
He disclosed that INEC had recorded 232,000 registered voters with disabilities, representing 0.23% of the voter register.
He described the figure as too low and said the commission was working to improve registration through online services.
Amupitan cited the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act as legal protections for inclusive elections.
“Our duty is to ensure that no citizen is prevented from exercising their right to vote through avoidable circumstances such as insecurity, discrimination or institutional neglect,” he said.
He added that voter protection must cover registration, campaigns, voting and the post-election period.
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