The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force have pledged to strengthen security measures to protect about 232,000 voters with disabilities from intimidation, harassment and discrimination during the 2027 general elections.
The agencies made the commitment during an engagement organised by TAF Africa in Abuja, where electoral stakeholders discussed measures to improve the safety and participation of persons with disabilities in the electoral process.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), said the commission was working to strengthen disability-inclusive election security protocols and improve coordination between electoral officials and security agencies.
He disclosed that persons with disabilities accounted for approximately 0.23 per cent of registered voters in INEC’s records, stressing that every eligible Nigerian must be able to exercise their voting rights without fear or discrimination.
Amupitan said the planned measures would include specialised training for security personnel, accessible channels for reporting electoral incidents and improved protection for voters with disabilities.
He added that the commission was committed to removing barriers that could prevent persons with disabilities from participating freely in elections.
Also speaking, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Isyaku Mohammed, who represented the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, said the police would review existing procedures to improve protection for voters with disabilities.
Mohammed disclosed that 20 senior police officers would take the outcomes of the engagement to their respective commands to assess current practices and promote compliance with the proposed safeguards.
He described the protection of voters with disabilities, prevention of intimidation and provision of safe access to polling units as essential responsibilities of the police during elections.
The deputy inspector-general also emphasised the need for security personnel to understand the specific challenges faced by persons with disabilities and respond appropriately during electoral activities.
Meanwhile, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, urged INEC and security agencies to translate their commitments into practical measures before the 2027 elections.
Mignot said effective procedures, specialised training and prompt responses to complaints would be necessary to protect voters with disabilities and ensure their full participation in the electoral process.
He stressed that the success of inclusive elections would depend on how security personnel implement the agreed measures and treat voters at polling units.
Earlier, TAF Africa Chairman, Prof. Vincent Anibogu, called for stronger interventions to address barriers limiting the participation of persons with disabilities in elections.
Anibogu identified discrimination, intimidation and inaccessible communication as major challenges requiring urgent attention, noting that removing them would help ensure equal participation for all eligible voters.
The engagement was organised by TAF Africa under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme, as stakeholders intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.
