No voter should be denied voting rights because of disability, INEC says.

SNOW TV NEWS DESK
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to strengthen measures to protect persons with disabilities and ensure their full participation in the 2027 general elections.

The commission stressed that election security arrangements must address the unique challenges confronting voters with disabilities, including intimidation, inaccessible polling units, communication barriers, and the threat of violence.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, made the call on Friday at a high-level technical engagement on disability-inclusive election security and protection protocols in Abuja.

The meeting, held at the Abuja Inter-Continental Hotel, brought together representatives of security agencies, the European Union, TAF Africa, organizations of persons with disabilities, and other stakeholders to develop strategies for safer, more accessible, and inclusive elections.

Amupitan said the credibility of an election should be determined not only by the voting process but also by whether every eligible citizen could exercise their franchise freely, safely, and without discrimination.

According to him, the success of Nigeria’s electoral process depends on creating an environment in which all eligible voters can participate without fear or unnecessary restrictions.

He warned that persons with disabilities remained vulnerable to several obstacles that could limit their participation in elections, urging security agencies to strengthen safeguards against harassment, intimidation, and insecurity.

The INEC chairman emphasized that no eligible voter should be prevented from exercising their constitutional rights because of disability or security challenges.

He identified the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the Electoral Act 2026, and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 as key legal instruments supporting inclusive electoral participation.

Amupitan also highlighted Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, alongside INEC’s 2026 Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, which provide for priority access, assistance, and appropriate voting materials for persons with disabilities.

He urged the police and other security personnel to demonstrate professionalism and impartiality while ensuring that their operations did not compromise the dignity, independence, or freedom of voters requiring assistance.

The INEC chairman noted that any assistance provided to persons with disabilities during elections must respect their privacy and right to make independent choices.

He further called for disability-related concerns to be incorporated into security assessments, personnel training, deployment strategies, and emergency-response plans well before election day.

According to him, the preparations should include identifying polling units with accessibility challenges, areas prone to congestion, potential security flashpoints, and communication difficulties that could prevent eligible voters from participating.

Amupitan also advocated stronger cooperation among INEC, the police, and other security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

He said effective collaboration would promote timely information-sharing, clarify the responsibilities of participating agencies, and facilitate swift responses to emerging threats before and during the elections.

Among the measures he recommended were the development of clear disability-inclusive security protocols, specialized training for police officers, accessible channels for reporting electoral incidents, and sustained engagement with organizations representing persons with disabilities.

He maintained that these steps would be essential to ensuring that the 2027 general elections are safe, credible, and accessible to all eligible Nigerians.

SNOW TV NEWS EDITORIAL ANALYSIS
Inclusive Elections Are Essential to Democracy

INEC’s call for stronger protection of voters with disabilities is an important reminder that credible elections must guarantee equal participation for every eligible citizen. The right to vote means little if insecurity, inaccessible polling units, intimidation, or communication barriers prevent people from exercising it.

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, security agencies must move beyond assurances and translate their commitments into practical measures, including accessible polling locations, specialized personnel training, effective complaint mechanisms, and prompt responses to threats.

INEC must also work closely with disability rights organizations to identify and address barriers before election day, rather than waiting for problems to arise.

Ultimately, an election cannot be considered truly inclusive if any eligible voter is left behind. Protecting the voting rights of persons with disabilities is not an act of charity but a democratic obligation that strengthens public confidence, promotes equality, and reinforces the legitimacy of Nigeria’s electoral process.