The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on the police and other security agencies to ensure that persons with disabilities are not intimidated, discriminated against or prevented from voting in the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, made the demand on Friday in Abuja during a technical engagement focused on […]

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on the police and other security agencies to ensure that persons with disabilities are not intimidated, discriminated against or prevented from voting in the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, made the demand on Friday in Abuja during a technical engagement focused on disability-inclusive election security and protection.

The engagement featured security agencies, the European Union, TAF Africa, organisations of persons with disabilities and other stakeholders working towards safer and more accessible elections.

Amupitan said a credible election must guarantee more than an orderly voting process, insisting that eligible citizens must be able to participate without fear or discrimination.

“The credibility of our elections depends not only on the voting process but also on the ability of every eligible citizen to participate freely, safely and without discrimination,” he said.

He warned that persons with disabilities could face intimidation, harassment, insecurity, inaccessible polling stations and communication barriers that may prevent them from exercising their democratic rights.

“Persons with disabilities must be protected against intimidation, harassment, insecurity and other barriers that could prevent them from exercising their franchise,” the chairman said.

To support inclusive participation, Amupitan pointed to existing legal protections, including the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018.

He also cited Nigeria’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and INEC’s 2026 election regulations, which provide for priority access, assistance and appropriate voting materials.

The chairman cautioned that any assistance given to voters with disabilities must respect their independence, privacy, dignity and freedom to make their own choices.

He urged security agencies to make disability-related risks part of their preparations, from training officers and planning deployments to identifying difficult-to-access polling units, congestion-prone locations and possible security flashpoints.

Amupitan further called for improved cooperation between INEC and security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), stressing the need for timely information-sharing and swift responses to threats.

He said the preparations should include clear security protocols for persons with disabilities, specialised police training, accessible channels for reporting incidents and regular consultation with disability organisations to help ensure that eligible voters can participate safely in 2027.