INEC is committed to organizing inclusive and credible elections and supporting persons with disabilities

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is committed to conducting free, fair, credible and inclusive elections, free from intimidation and harassment.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, Akwa Ibom State, gave the assurance on Friday during a sensitization on disability interventions for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and electoral officials in Uyo.

“The mandate of the Commission is to conduct elections that are free, fair, credible, inclusive and free from intimidation and harassment.

“We at the Commission are doing everything we can to ensure that we conduct elections that Nigerians will be proud of,” Onuoha said.

He urged the relevant authorities to provide necessary assistance to persons with disabilities to enable them to collect their permanent voter cards (PVCs) and participate in elections.

Onuoha said the Constitution recognizes the need to protect citizens from unfair treatment based on their circumstances.

“I want to use this opportunity to say that the government has not been fair to people with disabilities.

“We are using this forum to appeal to various governments to consider them for appointments and other benefits due to eligible citizens,” he said.

Onuoha urged election officials to ensure that persons with disabilities are accompanied in the electoral process, stressing that the elections were held at the grassroots level.

The REC also called for preferential treatment for people with disabilities at polling stations to enable them to vote without unnecessary delays.

“Just as they prioritize the elderly and pregnant women, please take them into account by allowing them to vote first,” he said.

Also, State Director of the National Guidance Agency (NOA), Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, commended INEC for organizing the awareness program and encouraged persons with disabilities to take advantage of the initiative.

He said the principle of inclusiveness promoted by INEC is an important element of Nigeria’s electoral framework.

“This therefore means that people with disabilities are given priority and an important place in Nigerian politics.

“The government attaches great importance to you, and that is why we are meeting today to discuss the issues that concern you,” Mkpoutom said.

He reminded them that no politician is allowed to collect their PVCs on their behalf, for any reason.

The NOA director urged people with disabilities not to let anyone deny them the opportunity to participate in the elections, assuring them that their votes will count.

Aniete Jackson, President of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Akwa Ibom State chapter, has thanked INEC for its efforts to strengthen disability inclusion ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“This program is clear evidence that INEC recognizes that democracy is incomplete without persons with disabilities.

“There is no credible election without inclusion. Therefore, we at JONAPWD assure INEC of our full partnership,” he said.

Jackson said the association will mobilize its members across the 31 local government areas (LGAs) of the state to collect their PVCs and participate in the elections.

He appealed to INEC to support efforts to ensure accessibility to polling stations by providing wheelchair access, Braille voting guides for blind voters, sign language interpreters for deaf voters and visual aids for persons with albinism.