The Independent National Electoral Commission has disclosed that about 3,000 persons living with disabilities have been registered as voters in the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the forthcoming Area Council elections.
The disclosure was made by the Head of INEC’s Information and Communication Technology Department in the FCT, Mr Festus Aisien, during a courtesy visit by the Inclusive Friends Association to the Commission’s Abuja office.
In a statement shared on INEC’s official X account on Friday, January 23, the Commission said the development reflected its ongoing efforts to ensure that persons with disabilities are fully included in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Mr Aisien said INEC remained committed to building an electoral system that allows everyone, including Persons with Disabilities, to register and vote without barriers.
READ ALSO: FCT Council Polls: INEC Begins Ward-Level PVC Collection
He noted that the Commission continued to prioritise accessibility and inclusion as part of its broader mandate to deliver credible elections.
During the visit, the Chief Executive Officer of the Inclusive Friends Association, Mrs Grace Jerry, commended INEC for sustaining collaboration with disability-focused organisations for more than a decade.
She said the partnership had contributed to gradual improvements in electoral inclusion for persons with disabilities across the country.
However, Mrs Jerry stressed that further progress was needed, particularly in the training of election officials, security personnel and political party agents.
She said better training would help ensure that voters with disabilities receive appropriate support and are treated with dignity during elections.