The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced strategic engagement with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and cluster heads to increase the participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the 2027 general elections.

The engagement, which focused on sensitisation and mobilisation, is aimed at ensuring that eligible voters with disabilities are adequately informed, effectively reached and meaningfully involved throughout the electoral process.

Acting INEC Chairman, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, who represented the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the initiative was timely as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.

Gumus said INEC was committed to building an electoral process that is inclusive, accessible and responsive to the needs of all eligible citizens.

She noted that the participation of PWDs is supported by relevant legal and policy frameworks, including Section 54 of the Electoral Act 2026, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 and INEC’s Framework on Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities in the Electoral Process.

The Acting Chairman called for innovative approaches to voter education, including disability-specific communication channels, community-based organisations, radio, social media and other assistive formats.

According to INEC, available data compiled before the introduction of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System recorded 137,487 persons with disabilities.

The figure comprises 13,080 visually impaired persons, 9,299 hearing-impaired persons, 30,561 persons with albinism, 19,430 persons with physical impairments and 54,941 persons under other disability categories.

Gumus urged JONAPWD and OPDs to take ownership of the sensitisation process by reaching their members with timely information on voter registration, Permanent Voter Cards, voting procedures, accessibility measures and other aspects of the electoral process.

She said the engagement would also help stakeholders identify barriers to participation, share successful strategies and agree on practical measures to be implemented before, during and after the 2027 elections.

The Director of Gender and Inclusivity, Mrs Lakunuya Dorothy Bello, highlighted some measures already introduced by INEC to improve accessibility for voters with disabilities.

They include Braille ballot guides, magnifying glasses, the EC30 PWD form and sign-language interpretation during collation activities.

INEC said the engagement forms part of its broader efforts to ensure that persons with disabilities are better informed and able to participate fully in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.