INEC, Police, Security Agencies Strengthen Disability-Inclusive Election Security Ahead of 2027 General Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for stronger collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to ensure that Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) can participate in the 2027 General Elections safely, freely and without discrimination.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, made the call on Friday, October 23, 2026, during a high-level technical engagement on disability-inclusive election security and protection protocols held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja.
The engagement, themed “Securing the Vote for All: Advancing Inclusive, Safe and Rights-Based Electoral Participation Ahead of the 2027 General Elections,” brought together representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, security agencies, the European Union, TAF Africa, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and other stakeholders to strengthen strategies for protecting voters with disabilities throughout the electoral process.
Electoral Security Must Protect Every Voter
Addressing participants, Professor Amupitan stressed that the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process goes beyond conducting elections. According to him, every eligible citizen must have the opportunity to participate freely, safely and without discrimination.
He emphasised that persons with disabilities must not be subjected to intimidation, harassment, insecurity or other barriers capable of preventing them from exercising their constitutional right to vote.
The INEC Chairman noted that no eligible voter should be denied the opportunity to participate in an election because of disability, insecurity or avoidable institutional barriers.
He reaffirmed that electoral inclusion is a democratic responsibility and not an act of charity.
INEC Reaffirms Legal Commitment to Disability Inclusion
Professor Amupitan highlighted the constitutional and legal foundations of inclusive electoral participation, including the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended; the Electoral Act 2026; the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018; and Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
He also referenced INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2026, particularly Clauses 19, 21, 27 and 28, which provide for priority access, appropriate assistance and assistive voting materials to facilitate the participation of voters with disabilities.
The Chairman stressed that these provisions must translate into practical measures that guarantee meaningful participation and protect the rights of voters with disabilities.
Police, Security Agencies Urged to Protect Voters with Disabilities
On election security, Professor Amupitan underscored the critical responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force in maintaining law and order, protecting lives and property, preventing electoral violence and creating a secure environment for elections.
He urged security personnel to demonstrate professionalism, impartiality and sensitivity when interacting with persons with different disabilities.
According to him, assistance provided to voters with disabilities must respect their dignity, independence, privacy and freedom of choice.
He further emphasised the need to integrate disability inclusion into security planning, personnel training, deployment and incident-response mechanisms well ahead of Election Day.
The INEC Chairman called for comprehensive security assessments to identify inaccessible polling locations, congestion, potential flashpoints and communication barriers that could prevent persons with disabilities from participating effectively.
INEC Calls for Stronger Inter-Agency Coordination
Professor Amupitan stressed the importance of effective coordination among INEC, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
He noted that improved information-sharing, clearly defined institutional responsibilities and prompt responses to emerging threats would be essential to protecting voters and strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.
He also called for accessible reporting channels through which persons with disabilities could report intimidation, harassment, violence and other electoral security concerns without facing additional barriers.
Five Key Priorities Ahead of 2027 Elections
Outlining the Commission’s priorities, the INEC Chairman called for:
- Disability-inclusive election security protocols: Clear operational procedures to protect voters with disabilities throughout the electoral process.
- Specialised security training: Targeted training for police officers and other security personnel on disability rights, inclusion and accessible communication.
- Stronger inter-agency coordination: Improved collaboration among INEC, the Police and other security agencies to prevent and respond to electoral threats.
- Accessible reporting and response mechanisms: Effective channels for reporting security incidents and ensuring timely intervention.
- Sustained engagement with OPDs: Meaningful participation of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities in election planning, security assessments and monitoring.
He maintained that electoral protection must extend beyond Election Day to cover voter registration, political campaigns, rallies, voting, collation and the post-election period.
INEC Seeks Practical Outcomes, Not Just Discussions
The Chairman urged participants to translate the engagement into practical and measurable outcomes capable of strengthening electoral security and inclusion ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
He called for clearly defined operational procedures, designated institutional contact points, appropriate training programmes, joint security assessments and effective monitoring mechanisms.
Professor Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to working with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, TAF Africa, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, development partners and other stakeholders to strengthen inclusive electoral administration and security.
He also acknowledged the contributions of TAF Africa and the European Union in promoting the democratic participation of persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons in Nigeria.
Disability Inclusion Is a Democratic Imperative
The INEC Chairman commended the organisers and participating institutions for their commitment to advancing inclusive electoral participation.
He expressed optimism that the deliberations would produce actionable strategies to strengthen election security, promote equal participation and enhance public confidence in the 2027 General Elections.
The engagement reinforced the need for a coordinated approach that recognises the rights, safety and participation of persons with disabilities as essential components of credible elections.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 General Elections, the message is clear: electoral security must protect every voter, and disability must never become a reason to deny anyone the right to participate in democracy.
No voter should be left behind. No disability should become a barrier. Every vote matters.
