The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to strengthen cooperation to guarantee the safe and unhindered participation of persons with disabilities, PWDs, in the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, made the appeal on Friday, October 23, 2026, during a high-level technical engagement on disability-inclusive election security and protection protocols at the Abuja Inter-Continental Hotel.
The meeting, themed “Securing the Vote for All: Advancing Inclusive, Safe and Rights-Based Electoral Participation Ahead of the 2027 General Elections,” was attended by representatives of the police and other security agencies, the European Union, TAF Africa, organisations of persons with disabilities and other stakeholders.
Amupitan said credible elections required more than an efficient voting process, stressing that every eligible Nigerian must be able to exercise their franchise freely, safely and without discrimination.
He noted that voters with disabilities must be shielded from intimidation, harassment, insecurity and other obstacles that could deny them the opportunity to participate in the electoral process.
The INEC chairman identified the 1999 Constitution, as amended; the Electoral Act 2026; the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018; and Nigeria’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as legal frameworks supporting inclusive elections.
He also drew attention to Clauses 19, 21, 27 and 28 of INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2026, which provide for priority access, appropriate assistance and assistive voting materials for voters with disabilities.
On security arrangements, Amupitan highlighted the responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force to maintain public order, protect lives and property, prevent electoral violence and ensure a safe environment for the conduct of elections.
He urged security personnel to uphold professionalism, impartiality and sensitivity in their interactions with people with different disabilities. He added that assistance provided to voters must respect their dignity, independence, privacy and freedom to make their own choices.
According to him, disability inclusion should be incorporated into election security planning, personnel training, deployment strategies and incident-response procedures well ahead of Election Day.
He further called for security assessments to identify potential challenges, including inaccessible polling units, overcrowding, possible flashpoints and communication barriers that could hinder voters with disabilities.
Amupitan also stressed the importance of stronger collaboration among INEC, the police and other security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES.
He said effective information-sharing, clearly defined responsibilities and timely responses to emerging threats would be critical to protecting voters.
