No fewer than 137,487 persons living with disabilities are captured in the Independent National Electoral Commission database as prospective voters for the 2027 general elections.
The figure comprises 13,080 visually impaired persons, 9,299 people with hearing impairment, 30,561 people with albinism, 19,430 people with physical impairment and 54,941 people in other disability categories.
INEC Acting Chairman, Prof Rhoda Gumus, disclosed the figures at a national strategy engagement with executives of the Joint National Association of Persons Living With Disabilities and Organisations of Persons Living With Disabilities in Abuja on Wednesday.
Gumus said the number highlighted the need for sustained engagement to ensure that persons with disabilities were informed, mobilised and supported throughout the electoral process. She said INEC’s inclusion efforts were guided by Section 54 of the Electoral Act 2026, the 2018 disability rights law and the commission’s framework on disability participation.
She called for stronger collaboration with JONAPWD, OPDs and other stakeholders ahead of the elections, urging disability organisations to take ownership of voter sensitisation within their respective networks.
INEC Director of Gender and Inclusivity, Lakunuya Bello, identified access to voter information, voter education, mobilisation and electoral facilities as continuing challenges. Inclusive Friends Association Executive Director, Grace Jerry, called for targeted voter education, registration support and monitoring of accessibility barriers.
JONAPWD President Abdullahi Usman called for more frequent strategic engagements, while NCPWD Executive Secretary Ayuba Burki highlighted mobility challenges, limited access to assistive devices and restricted movement during elections. TAF Africa CEO Jake Epelle also urged improved polling-unit accessibility and grassroots mobilisation across the 36 states and the FCT.
