The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for stronger collaboration with security agencies to ensure safe and inclusive voting for persons with disabilities (PWDs) during the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made the call on Friday at a high-level technical engagement on disability-inclusive election security and protection protocols held at the Abuja Inter-Continental Hotel.
The engagement, themed “Securing the Vote for All: Advancing Inclusive, Safe and Rights-Based Electoral Participation Ahead of the 2027 General Elections,” brought together representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies, the European Union, TAF Africa, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and other stakeholders.
Amupitan stressed that the credibility of elections depended not only on the voting process but also on the ability of every eligible citizen to participate freely, safely and without discrimination.
He said persons with disabilities must be protected against intimidation, harassment, insecurity and other barriers that could prevent them from exercising their voting rights.
The INEC chairman highlighted the legal provisions supporting inclusive electoral participation, including the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 and Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
He also referenced INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2026, particularly Clauses 19, 21, 27 and 28, which provide for priority access, appropriate assistance and assistive voting materials for voters with disabilities.
On election security, Amupitan emphasised the responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force to maintain law and order, protect lives and property, prevent electoral violence and create a secure environment for the conduct of elections.
He urged security personnel to demonstrate professionalism, impartiality and sensitivity to the needs of persons with different disabilities.
According to him, assistance provided to voters with disabilities must preserve their dignity, independence, privacy and freedom of choice.
Amupitan further called for disability inclusion to be integrated into security planning, personnel training, deployment and incident-response mechanisms well before Election Day.
He said security assessments should identify inaccessible polling locations, congestion, potential flashpoints and communication barriers that could affect voters with disabilities.
The chairman also stressed the need for effective coordination among INEC, the police and other security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
He said improved information-sharing, clear responsibilities and prompt responses to emerging threats were necessary to protect voters and ensure inclusive participation.
Outlining key priorities ahead of the 2027 elections, Amupitan called for clear disability-inclusive election security protocols, targeted training for police personnel on disability rights and accessible communication, and stronger coordination among security agencies.
He also urged stakeholders to establish accessible reporting channels, ensure prompt responses to security incidents and sustain engagement with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities.
The engagement forms part of efforts to strengthen electoral security and ensure that persons with disabilities can participate in the 2027 general elections without discrimination, intimidation or avoidable barriers.