The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the European Union (EU), have advised security agencies to integrate disability-inclusive security protocols into their operational planning for the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), gave the charge on Thursday in Abuja at a high-level technical engagement on disability-inclusive election security and protection protocols.
The event, themed “Securing the Vote for All: Advancing Inclusive, Safe and Rights-Based Electoral Participation Ahead of the 2027 General Elections,” was organised by TAF Africa, a non-profit organisation,
The programme is under Component 5b of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme.
Amupitan, represented by a National Commissioner, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, said that the 2027 general elections presented an opportunity to demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to electoral inclusion in both policy and practice.
He said that democratic commitments should be extended to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), whose electoral rights, safety, adding that dignity should be protected throughout the electoral cycle.
“Preparations must begin well ahead before election day. Disability inclusion should be reflected in relevant electoral plans, voter education, personnel training, polling unit arrangements, security deployment, and emergency-response procedures.
“Persons with disabilities and eligible internally displaced voters may encounter security concerns during voter registration, political campaigns, party activities, rallies, public engagements, voting, and the post-election period.
“Protection measures must, therefore, be responsive to risks throughout the electoral cycle,” he said.
Amupitan urged the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security institutions to establish accessible reporting and referral mechanisms so that PWDs could seek protection without fear of discrimination.
He added that security personnel should adapt their engagements to different disability types and displacement conditions, ensuring assistance respects personal autonomy without restricting movement or influencing choices.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, said that the EU was pleased to support initiatives that advance equal participation in public life.
Mignot said that democracy was measured not only by the conduct of elections but by whether every eligible citizen could participate freely and safely.
He observed that PWDs continued to face barriers such as lack of access to information, physical obstacles, communication difficulties, intimidation and inadequate protection compared to able-bodied persons.
“An electoral process cannot be fully inclusive if some eligible voters are more exposed to intimidation, discrimination, or insecurity because their specific needs have not been considered.
“The development of guidelines is an important foundation. However, guidelines achieve their intended purpose only when institutions take ownership of them and translate their provisions into practical procedures,” Mignot said.
He urged the NSCDC and other security agencies to embed disability inclusion into operational briefings, personnel training, emergency-response procedures, and inter-agency coordination ahead of the 2027 polls.
“As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, there is an important opportunity to strengthen inclusive electoral security before major election operations begin.
“Preparations should ensure that disability inclusion is reflected in relevant security plans, personnel training, operational briefings, coordination arrangements and emergency-response procedures.
“The protection of voters with disabilities must extend across the electoral cycle, including voter registration, political campaigns, rallies, party activities, voting and the period following elections.
The Chairman, Board of TAF Africa, Prof. Vincent Anigbogu, said that training security operatives in disability rights, reasonable accommodation, and inclusive protection procedures was vital to preventing voter disenfranchisement
Anigbolu, while presenting the objective overview of the programme, said that while Nigeria had made progress in recognising citizens’ political rights, practical protocol challenges persist.
He said that every Nigerian regardless of physical, sensory, intellectual, or psychosocial status had the fundamental right to participate safely and independently in the electoral process.
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