INEC registers 137, 487 PLWDs for 2027 polls

No fewer than 137,487 Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDS) are captured in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) database as prospective voters in the 2027 general elections,

The figure comprises 13,080 visually impaired persons, 9,299 with hearing impairment, 30,561 with albinism, 19,430 with physical impairment and 54,941 in other categories of disability.

INEC’s Acting Chairman, Prof. Rhoda’s Gumus, stated these at a National Strategy Engagement with executive members of the Joint National Association of Persons Living  With Disabilities (JONAPWD) and Organisations of Persons Living  With Disabilities (OPDs) in Abuja.

Gumus said the figure “demonstrates the need for sustained and targeted engagement to ensure that Persons Living With Disabilities are adequately informed, mobilised and supported to participate throughout the electoral process.”

She  explained the participation of PLWDs in the electoral process is anchored on Section 54 of the Electoral Act, 2026 (as amended), the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, and  INEC Framework on Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities in the Electoral Process.

The Acting Chairman stressed INEC’s  “commitment to advancing the participation and inclusion of Persons Living With Disabilities in Nigeria’s democratic process.”

She added the meeting reflected the commission’s commitment to an electoral process that is “inclusive, accessible, participatory and responsive to the needs of all eligible citizens, including Persons Living With Disabilities.”

Gamus maintained that as INEC prepares for the  general election, it was important for it to “strengthen our collaboration with JONAPWD, OPDs and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that no eligible voter is left behind.”

She called on JONAPWD and the various OPDs to take ownership of the sensitisation process within their respective clusters.

Director, Gender and Inclusivity Department of the commission, Mrs Lakunuya Bello, said INEC recognises PLWDs as “an important constituency whose voices, choices and participation are essential to the credibility and inclusiveness of our democracy.”

Executive Director of Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), Grace Jerry, called for a mobilisation model built around mapping PLWD networks and priority gaps, reaching communities through OPD and accessible media channels, delivering practical voter education in multiple accessible formats, supporting registration and referrals, monitoring and documenting barriers for escalation to INEC and JONAPWD, and sustaining follow-up engagement throughout election days.

National President of JONAPWD, Abdullahi   Usman, commended INEC for owning a policy on disability inclusion that is  itself shaped by PLWDs.

He, however, called for frequent strategic engagements, noting that “one national strategic engagement will not be enough for persons with disabilities in Nigeria to participate fully in the 2027 general election.”

Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Ayuba Burki, decried the barriers of mobility, assistive devices and restricted movement during elections that continue to limit the participation of PWDs.