The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force have pledged to strengthen measures to protect approximately 232,000 registered voters with disabilities from intimidation, harassment and discrimination ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the commission was prioritising disability-inclusive election security protocols, specialised training for security personnel, accessible incident-reporting channels and improved coordination among electoral and security agencies.
Amupitan noted that INEC records indicated that persons with disabilities accounted for approximately 0.23 per cent of registered voters. He stressed that credible elections must guarantee every eligible Nigerian the opportunity to vote freely, safely and without discrimination.
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Isyaku Mohammed, who represented the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, at an engagement organised by TAF Africa in Abuja on Friday, said 20 senior police officers would take the programme’s outcomes back to their respective commands to review existing procedures and promote compliance with proposed protective measures.
He reaffirmed that protecting voters with disabilities, preventing electoral intimidation and ensuring safe access to polling units were fundamental responsibilities of the police.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, urged security agencies to translate their commitments into practical procedures, targeted training and effective responses to incidents involving voters with disabilities.
Earlier, the Chairman of the TAF Africa Board, Prof. Vincent Anibogu, called for deliberate measures to address barriers confronting voters with disabilities, including discrimination, intimidation and inaccessible communication during electoral activities.
The engagement was organised by TAF Africa under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme to strengthen electoral security and promote inclusive participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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