INEC Pledges Accessible Voting for Persons with Disabilities in Ondo

 

By Atlantic Reports

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pledged to improve access to the electoral process for persons with disabilities in Ondo State, including voter card collection and voting in the 2027 general elections.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke, gave the assurance on Wednesday in Akure during a sensitisation workshop on electoral inclusion.

Agboke said the engagement was intended to hear directly from persons with disabilities, understand the barriers they encounter and strengthen collaboration to support their participation.

He said no eligible voter should be excluded because of a disability, adding that the commission was taking measures to make polling units accessible.

“I want to assure the PWDs that INEC will create a level playing field, not just rhetorical, a level playing field that will be seen on election day,” he said.

Access Before and During Elections

Agboke said INEC would facilitate access to Permanent Voter Cards before the elections and ensure respectful treatment of voters with disabilities at polling units.

He also pledged that electoral personnel would be responsive to their needs and that security operatives would not discriminate against, harass or threaten them.

The commissioner said engagement with the disability community would continue as preparations progressed.

The assurances cover important stages of participation, but the workshop account did not identify polling units requiring accessibility improvements or provide a timetable for completing them.

Assistive Materials and Priority Voting

INEC’s Director of Gender and Inclusivity, Mrs Dorothy Lakunuya Bello, represented by Mojisola Awelewa, said the commission would provide priority voting for persons with disabilities, older people, pregnant women and nursing mothers.

She identified three assistive materials intended to support voters: Braille ballot guides for voters with visual impairments, magnifying glasses for voters with albinism and pictorial instructional posters for voters with hearing impairments.

The materials are intended to help voters understand the process and cast their ballots with fewer difficulties. Their practical value will depend on availability at the polling units where they are needed and electoral workers’ ability to support their use.

Disability Community Welcomes Commitments

The Ondo State Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Mr Abiodun Samuel, welcomed INEC’s commitments and its continued provision of priority voting.

Samuel praised preparations for instructional materials and said the disability community would support efforts to deepen electoral inclusion.

He also welcomed assurances against intimidation and the commission’s commitment to ensuring that votes count.

INEC separately engaged Electoral Officers and the state’s Disability Desk Officer as part of preparations for the 2027 polls.

For voters with disabilities, the measure of these commitments will be whether they can collect their cards, reach and use polling units, receive appropriate assistance and vote with dignity.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.