Comrade Chris Agbo calls for priority voting, disability-disaggregated data, accessible ballot boxes and capacity building for electoral officials.
The Chairman of the National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities (NAPWPD), FCT Chapter, Comrade Chris Agbo, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen measures aimed at ensuring accessible and inclusive elections for persons with disabilities ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Agbo made the call on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, during an engagement between INEC and leaders of disability clusters and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking at the meeting, Agbo highlighted several practical interventions that would address the barriers persons with disabilities encounter during electoral processes, particularly at polling units.
He emphasised the need for priority treatment for persons with disabilities in voting queues, noting that prolonged waiting periods can create unnecessary physical stress and difficulties, especially for persons with mobility challenges and other disabilities.
He also called on INEC to strengthen its disability-disaggregated data collection mechanisms to ensure that the Commission has accurate information about voters with disabilities. According to him, reliable data is essential for effective planning, resource allocation and the development of appropriate electoral support systems.
On the capacity of electoral personnel, the NAPWPD FCT Chairman urged INEC to intensify training for ad hoc staff on disability inclusion, disability etiquette and appropriate ways of assisting voters with different categories of disabilities.
Agbo further stressed the importance of positioning ballot boxes at accessible locations within polling units to enable wheelchair users and other persons with mobility impairments to participate in voting without unnecessary difficulties or dependence on others.
In another recommendation, he suggested introducing a dedicated identification box or system to facilitate the easy identification of persons with disabilities who may require priority assistance during elections.
He equally urged INEC to intensify public awareness campaigns on disability-inclusive elections, stressing that members of the public must understand the electoral needs of persons with disabilities and support efforts to make the voting process accessible to everyone.
“An inclusive electoral process requires more than providing voting materials. It requires deliberate planning, accessible infrastructure, trained personnel and an informed public. Persons with disabilities must be able to exercise their constitutional right to vote independently and with dignity,” Agbo stressed.
While presenting his recommendations, Agbo commended INEC for its consistent engagement with the disability community, describing the Commission as one of the most disability-friendly government agencies in Nigeria in terms of its willingness to engage with and listen to persons with disabilities.
He, however, emphasised that such engagements must translate into concrete actions and measurable improvements at polling units across the country.
As preparations for the 2027 General Elections gather momentum, Agbo maintained that accessibility must be treated as a fundamental requirement of credible and inclusive elections rather than an act of goodwill towards persons with disabilities.
He concluded that no eligible Nigerian should be denied the opportunity to vote with dignity because of disability, urging INEC to ensure that the voices and electoral rights of persons with disabilities are reflected in its policies, planning and implementation strategies.
