INEC pledges inclusive, credible elections, drums support for PWDs

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pledged to conduct free, fair, credible and inclusive elections, free from intimidation and harassment.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, in Akwa Ibom state, gave the assurance on Friday during a sensitisation on disability interventions for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and electoral officers in Uyo.

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

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

He urged relevant authorities to provide necessary assistance to PWDs to enable them to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate in elections.

Onuoha said the constitution recognised 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 persons with disabilities.

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

Onuoha urged electoral officers to ensure that PWDs were carried along in the electoral process, stressing that elections were conducted at the grassroots level.

The REC also called for preferential treatment for PWDs at polling units to enable them to vote without unnecessary delays.

“Just like they give priority to the elderly and pregnant women, please consider them by allowing them to vote first,” he said.

Also speaking, state director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, commended INEC for organising the sensitisation programme and encouraged PWDs to take advantage of the initiative.

He said the principle of inclusivity being promoted by INEC was an important element of Nigeria’s electoral framework.

“It, therefore, means that persons with disabilities are given priority and a place of importance in Nigerian politics.

“Government attaches great importance to you, and that is why we are gathering today to discuss issues affecting you,” Mkpoutom said.

He reminded them that no politician is authorised to collect their PVC on their behalf for any reason.

The NOA director urged PWDs not to allow anyone to deny them the opportunity to participate in elections, assuring them that their votes would count.

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

“This programme is clear proof that INEC recognises that democracy is incomplete without persons with disabilities.

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

Jackson said the association would mobilise 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 sustain efforts to ensure accessibility at polling units by providing wheelchair access, Braille ballot guides for visually impaired voters, sign language interpreters for deaf voters and visual aids for persons with albinism.