The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Oyo State has trained persons with disabilities on electoral participation and inclusive voting measures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The training, held at the commission’s state collation centre in Ibadan, aimed to improve electoral awareness, strengthen understanding of voting procedures and address barriers preventing persons with disabilities from participating fully in elections.
INEC Promises Assistive Devices for Voters
Speaking at the event, Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Rahmon Adeniran Tella, represented by Mrs Agnes Abosede Oluwatomisin, said the commission remained committed to ensuring that eligible persons with disabilities could exercise their civic rights without unnecessary obstacles.
He said electoral inclusion extended beyond voter registration and voting, stressing the importance of accessible electoral information, polling units and opportunities to participate in voter education, election observation and other lawful electoral activities.
Tella said INEC would provide assistive devices, including magnifying glasses, Braille ballot guides and written instruction posters for voters with hearing impairments, to improve their voting experience.
He added that persons with disabilities, elderly people, pregnant women and nursing mothers were entitled to priority consideration at polling units in line with the commission’s guidelines.
The REC also said INEC would continue to engage qualified persons with disabilities as ad hoc election personnel to promote a more inclusive electoral process.
INEC Identifies Barriers to Electoral Participation
Tella identified inaccessible polling units, communication barriers, transportation difficulties, inadequate electoral information in accessible formats and negative societal attitudes as challenges requiring collective action.
He said the commission was also distributing the first batch of 77,015 newly printed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) across 351 registration areas in Oyo State.
According to him, the distribution began on October 9 and was expected to end on October 15, before continuing at the local government level from October 16.
INEC Highlights Disability Inclusion Ahead of 2027
The Deputy Director of INEC’s Gender and Inclusivity Department, Mrs Habiba Jatto, said the workshop was designed to strengthen stakeholders’ understanding of disability inclusion, accessibility and the effective deployment of the commission’s interventions.
She said the participation of persons with disabilities as voters, candidates and election personnel was central to an inclusive democracy.
Jatto added that INEC’s efforts were guided by relevant electoral and disability inclusion frameworks.
She listed the workshop’s objectives as improving accessible voter education, strengthening collaboration with disability organisations, building capacity for the effective use of assistive devices and identifying gaps from previous elections ahead of the 2027 polls.
She stressed that providing assistive materials alone was insufficient without proper deployment, coordination, monitoring and awareness among intended beneficiaries.
NOA, Disability Association Seek Stronger Collaboration
In her goodwill message, the Head of the Civic Values and Democratic Department of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Simbiat Akande, who represented the agency’s Director, Mallam Isah, called for effective disability inclusion and accessibility in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The Oyo State Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Mr Abiodun Kolawole, commended INEC for organising the training but called for stronger collaboration between the commission and the disability community.
Kolawole said the association had previously written to request a courtesy visit to the REC’s office but had yet to receive a response. He urged the commission to consider the request to strengthen engagement and cooperation.
He also called for fair consideration of persons with disabilities for election observer and ad hoc staff positions during the 2027 general elections, in accordance with INEC’s recruitment guidelines.
