The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated its determination to dismantle systemic and physical barriers that have disenfranchised or marginalised Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at the grassroots before the 2027 general elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kogi State, Dr. Shehu Wahab, disclosed this in Lokoja on Tuesday at a state-level sensitisation workshop on disability interventions for PWDs, electoral officers, and disability desk officers.
Dr. Wahab stated that INEC remains firmly dedicated to the core democratic principle that elections must be free, fair, credible, and inclusive.
He stressed that democracy thrives only when every eligible citizen, regardless of physical, sensory, or cognitive ability, has unfettered access to exercise their civic franchise.
“Against this backdrop,” he said, “the commission is out to address real challenges and systematically dismantle those barriers faced by PWDs at the grassroots before the 2027 general election.”
He noted that the workshop was specifically designed to bridge the gap between policy formulation at headquarters and practical implementation at the grassroots.
“Today, we are not only reviewing INEC’s comprehensive Policy on Disability Inclusion and accessibility guidelines, but we are also focusing on the operational deployment and effective usage of assistive devices, such as magnifying glasses, Braille ballots, and PWD posters.
“We recognise that the commission cannot achieve total inclusion in isolation. We deeply value our ongoing partnership with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), civil society groups, and agencies like the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
“Your feedback, advocacy, and collaborative spirit are vital in helping us identify blind spots, correct operational lapses, and build public trust,” he said.
In his remarks, the state Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Ibrahim Arome Daniel, noted that members have been suffering from the non-inclusive practices of the past, particularly those in the blind, deaf, and spinal cord injury clusters.
Represented by the Secretary of the association, Ahmed Abdulkareem Onimisi, the chairman commended the inclusive posture of the current leadership of the commission, which is tailored to ensure members exercise their civic rights in the coming general elections.
Meanwhile, the state Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Ayedime Aleku, advised prospective voters to collect their PVCs at INEC offices located in the headquarters of the 21 local government areas.
Aleku urged PWDs to speak openly at the workshop to enable the commission to resolve challenges or barriers preventing them from exercising their civic responsibility during the 2027 general election.
UPDATE NEWS:
Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5 million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25 million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder, click here to find out how it works.