No voter should be denied voting rights due to disability, insecurity - INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for enhanced security measures to ensure persons with disabilities can fully participate in the 2027 general elections in Nigeria. Speaking at a meeting in Abuja, INEC Chairman Professor Joash O. Amupitan emphasized that electoral security plans must address the unique challenges faced by voters with disabilities, which include intimidation, inaccessible polling stations, communication barriers, and threats of violence.

The meeting, attended by security agencies, the European Union, TAF Africa, disability organizations, and other stakeholders, aimed to devise strategies for safer and more accessible elections. Amupitan stressed that an election's success should be judged not only by the voting process but also by whether every eligible citizen can vote without fear or discrimination.

He warned that persons with disabilities remain vulnerable to obstacles that could hinder their participation and called for stronger safeguards against harassment, intimidation, and insecurity. Legal instruments supporting inclusive electoral participation include the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, and INEC's 2026 regulations.

Amupitan urged the police to maintain professionalism and impartiality while ensuring security measures do not compromise the dignity or independence of voters requiring assistance. He also advocated for better coordination among INEC, the police, and other security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to facilitate timely information-sharing and swift responses to emerging security threats.