The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kwara State has sensitised electoral officers, disability desk officers and persons with disabilities (PWDs) on measures to promote inclusive and accessible voting ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the sensitisation workshop held at the INEC collation centre in Ilorin on Friday, Ahmed Yushau Garki, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kwara State, said the initiative was part of the commission’s commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities were not excluded from the electoral process.
Garki said the programme was designed to promote inclusivity and accessibility by addressing the specific challenges faced by voters with disabilities, including wheelchair users and visually impaired persons.
He said INEC was making special provisions to ensure that polling units were accessible to all eligible voters, regardless of their physical challenges.
According to him, the workshop also aims to equip electoral officers with the knowledge and skills required to provide appropriate assistance to voters with disabilities and address technical issues that could hinder their participation in elections.
He noted that the commission was providing assistive materials, including magnifying glasses and other voting aids, to enable voters with specific needs to participate more independently.
The REC added that INEC was engaging stakeholders and conducting sensitisation programmes to educate the public and community leaders on the importance of inclusive elections, while ensuring that the information reached communities across the state.
Garki also disclosed that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were available for collection in batches at INEC offices across the 16 local government areas of the state.
He urged eligible voters who had recently registered or had yet to collect their cards from previous registration exercises to visit the appropriate INEC offices.
“Registered voters are strongly encouraged to come forward to collect their cards and prepare to participate in the elections,” he said, stressing the importance of increased voter participation.
In his remarks, Ohiani Albert, Head of the Voter Education and Publicity Department of INEC in Kwara State, said the workshop was aimed at strengthening awareness of disability inclusion, building the capacity of electoral officers and promoting the effective implementation of interventions for voters with disabilities.
He said improved knowledge-sharing and collaboration among stakeholders would enhance compliance with inclusive electoral practices and contribute to a successful and efficient 2027 general election.
In his goodwill message, Yakubu Abubakar, the Kwara State Coordinator of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting INEC through public enlightenment and voter education.
Abubakar said the agency was collaborating with INEC to disseminate electoral information across communities in the state.
He cited previous voter education campaigns, including “Election Without Bitterness,” as part of efforts to promote peaceful elections and encourage citizens to participate in the democratic process.
He assured the commission of the NOA’s support in expanding public awareness and ensuring that electoral information reached residents across Kwara State.
Adebayo Olayinka Badamosi, a visually impaired person and chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities in Kwara State, commended INEC for organising the workshop.
He said the initiative would improve the ability of persons with disabilities to understand and participate in the voting process without unnecessary obstacles.
“I commend the organisers for this training. It has made us understand that we can read and vote on our own without hindrances,” he said.
Another visually impaired participant, Abdulkareem Lawal, also praised the commission, expressing optimism that the measures would enable persons with disabilities to vote more independently.
He said INEC’s interventions represented progress towards making future elections more accessible and seamless for voters with disabilities.
Electoral officers from the 16 local government areas of Kwara State, alongside leaders and members of disability groups, attended the workshop.
Participants were trained on the use of assistive voting devices, including ballot guides and magnifying glasses, as well as other materials designed to facilitate voting by persons with disabilities.
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