INEC, Police Assure 232,000 Disabled Voters Of Protection Movement

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have pledged to strengthen measures to protect about 232,000 voters with disabilities from intimidation, harassment, and discrimination during the 2027 general elections.

The agencies said they would strengthen election security, train security personnel and improve reporting channels to ensure that persons with disabilities could vote freely and safely.

INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN) disclosed this during an engagement organised by TAF Africa in Abuja.

He said the commission was prioritising disability-inclusive election security protocols and stronger coordination among electoral and security agencies.

According to Amupitan, INEC’s records showed that persons with disabilities accounted for approximately 0.23 per cent of registered voters.

He stressed that credible elections must guarantee every eligible Nigerian the opportunity to participate without fear or discrimination.

The INEC chairman said the proposed measures would include targeted training for security personnel, accessible channels for reporting electoral incidents, and improved protection for voters with disabilities.

He said the commission was committed to ensuring that disability did not become a barrier to exercising the constitutional right to vote.

Also, the deputy inspector-general of police, Isyaku Mohammed, said the police would review existing procedures to strengthen the protection of voters with disabilities.

Mohammed represented the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, at the engagement.

He disclosed that 20 senior police officers would take the outcomes of the programme back to their respective commands to review current practices and promote compliance with the proposed protection measures.

He said protecting voters with disabilities, preventing intimidation, and ensuring safe access to polling units were core responsibilities of the police.

The DIG stressed the need for security personnel to understand the specific challenges faced by voters with disabilities and respond appropriately during electoral activities.

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, urged electoral and security agencies to translate their commitments into practical action ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said effective procedures, specialised training, and timely responses to reported incidents were necessary to protect voters with disabilities.

Mignot emphasised that commitments to inclusive elections must be reflected in the conduct of security personnel and the treatment of voters at polling units.

Earlier, the Chairman of TAF Africa, Prof. Vincent Anibogu, called for stronger measures to address barriers preventing persons with disabilities from participating fully in the electoral process.

He identified discrimination, intimidation, and inaccessible communication as some of the challenges requiring urgent attention.

Anibogu said addressing such barriers was essential to ensuring that persons with disabilities could participate in elections on equal terms with other Nigerians.

The engagement was organised by TAF Africa under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme.