The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State has showcased assistive materials designed to improve electoral access for persons with disabilities (PWDs) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The materials, which include Braille ballot guides, magnifying glasses for voters with low vision and EC30 pictorial posters, were presented during a sensitisation meeting held on Monday, October 19, 2026, at the commission’s Media Centre in Rivers State.
The meeting brought together representatives of disability organisations and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening disability inclusion and ensuring that voters with disabilities can participate meaningfully in the electoral process.
The opening address was delivered by the Administrative Secretary, Dr Mrs Angela Ebhodaghe, on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Johnson Alailibo Sinikien. The address reaffirmed INEC Rivers State’s commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities were included at every stage of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on behalf of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Rivers State, its Public Relations Officer, Mr Brown Benjamin, who represented the association’s head, Mr Collins Akpana, commended INEC for the initiative and called for sustained collaboration to strengthen electoral inclusion.
The Head of Gender and Inclusivity, Mrs Nyimenka Obuzor, stressed that persons with disabilities were demanding equal rights and opportunities rather than special privileges, emphasising the need to remove barriers that prevent their full participation in democratic processes.
Representing INEC’s national headquarters, Julia Osezua outlined the objectives of the engagement, including a review of existing inclusion policies and measures to improve electoral accessibility for voters with disabilities.
The commission’s Head of Information and Communication Technology, Mr Pius Nwankwo, discussed developments in electoral technology, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) and the safe and transparent integration of artificial intelligence into electoral processes.
The National Orientation Agency also addressed the meeting, with Dr Edward Banigo represented by Mrs Amadi Boma Dabara. The agency highlighted voter safety, strategies to prevent electoral violence and the importance of public sensitisation in encouraging greater participation by persons with disabilities.
The engagement highlighted the need for continued cooperation among INEC, disability organisations and other stakeholders to ensure that voters with disabilities can exercise their civic rights safely, independently and without discrimination during the 2027 General Election.
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