The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that insecurity, discrimination and inaccessible polling units could disenfranchise persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, raised the alarm on Thursday, October 22, 2026, during an engagement organised by TAF Africa for Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers in Abuja.
Represented by supervising National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu, Amupitan said electoral security must accommodate voters with visual and hearing impairments and those with limited mobility to ensure safe and unhindered participation.
He outlined five priorities: disability-inclusive security protocols, specialised training for security personnel, stronger inter-agency coordination, accessible incident-reporting channels and sustained engagement with disability rights organisations.
He also called for clear operational guidelines and advance risk assessments to identify inaccessible polling units, congested entrances, security flashpoints and communication barriers before election day.
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“Electoral inclusion is not an act of charity; it is a democratic obligation,” he said.
TAF Africa Chief Executive Officer Jake Epelle called for a protection framework involving INEC, political parties and security agencies to safeguard voters with disabilities.
He urged security personnel to understand disability rights and protect vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), women, youths and older people, from intimidation and exclusion.
The warning follows accessibility gaps recorded during the 2023 general elections. TAF Africa’s monitoring of 273 polling units found Braille ballot guides at 26 locations, magnifying glasses at 60, while 234 polling units were reported to be accessible to persons with disabilities.
The findings highlight the need for improved polling facilities and assistive voting materials ahead of the 2027 elections.