The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) fully participate in the forthcoming Osun State governorship election scheduled for 15 August 2026.
The assurance was given by the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, during an engagement meeting with PWDs and Electoral Officers on the deployment and use of assistive devices ahead of the election.
Speaking in Osogbo on Tuesday, Babalola described the meeting as a crucial step towards promoting an inclusive, transparent and accessible electoral process for all eligible voters, regardless of physical ability.
According to her, the commission remains committed to ensuring that no eligible voter is excluded from participating in the democratic process due to disability.
She noted that persons with disabilities play an important role in Nigeria’s democracy and should be empowered to exercise their civic responsibilities independently and with dignity.
“The commission is determined to remove barriers that may hinder participation and to ensure that every eligible citizen can exercise the right to vote independently and with dignity,” she stated.
Babalola explained that improved access to electoral information and voting tools would encourage greater participation among PWDs while helping to address voter apathy within the disability community.
The REC emphasised that Section 54 of the Electoral Act guarantees equal voting rights for persons with disabilities and provides for the use of assistive devices designed to make voting easier and more accessible.
These devices include Braille ballot guides for visually impaired voters, magnifying glasses for individuals with low vision, and specially designed posters to assist voters who are deaf or hard of hearing.
She disclosed that INEC had developed the assistive tools through consultations with disability groups to ensure that they effectively promote voter independence, confidentiality and a seamless voting experience on election day.
Babalola also highlighted the commission’s broader efforts towards inclusivity, including the establishment of a framework on access and participation of persons with disabilities in the electoral process, as well as the creation of a Department of Gender and Inclusivity.
She revealed that INEC has consistently engaged political parties on the need to establish disability desks, a move that has encouraged several parties to incorporate disability-related responsibilities into their leadership structures.
In his goodwill message, Adebiyi Adefarasin Stephen, Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Osun State, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting INEC in delivering a credible and inclusive election.
He stressed that democracy can only thrive when every eligible citizen, including persons with disabilities, is given an equal opportunity to participate.
Also speaking, Steven Idowu, Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities in Osun State, called for sustained support for persons with disabilities and urged stakeholders to work together towards building a society where every voice and every vote counts.
As preparations for the governorship election gather momentum, INEC’s renewed focus on accessibility is expected to strengthen the participation of persons with disabilities and further promote inclusive democracy in Osun State.
