Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Kaduna State have called for improved accessibility and support measures in the electoral process, just as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) intensified efforts to register eligible voters.

 

The call came during a Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) mobilisation exercise organised by TAF Africa in partnership with INEC at the Disability Colony near the Central Mosque on Kano Road, Kaduna.

 

The exercise, which targeted persons with disabilities residing in the community, provided opportunities for fresh voter registration, transfer of polling units, replacement of lost Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and updates of voter information.

 

Besides, speaking during the occasion, INEC Gender and PWD Officer in Kaduna State, Fatima Umar Abubakar, said the commission has consistently worked to ensure that persons with disabilities are not excluded from electoral processes.

 

According to her, many of those who attended the exercise already possessed voter cards due to years of engagement and sensitisation by the commission.

 

“INEC has been partnering with disability groups and organisations for many years. We are committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities are fully included in voter registration and election processes”, she said.

 

“Most of those here already have PVCs. What we are doing now is helping those who want to transfer polling units, replace missing cards, or update their records,” she added.

 

Abubakar assured participants that INEC was working with security agencies to guarantee a safe environment during elections and encouraged voters to choose polling units closest to their residences.

 

Meanwhile, the Assistant Programme Manager of TAF Africa, George Dominic Anwayi, said that the mobilisation exercise was aimed at increasing awareness among persons with disabilities about the ongoing voter registration exercise before the registration window closes.

 

“We are here to sensitise persons with disabilities on the need to register, transfer their polling units where necessary, and replace damaged or lost PVCs. At the same time, INEC officials are here providing registration services”, he said.

 

“This programme is also intended to demonstrate the importance of political participation by persons with disabilities and encourage them to exercise their civic rights,” he added.

 

Anwayi noted further that while the event targeted about 100 participants in the Kaduna disability community, the broader objective was to use media engagement to reach millions of persons with disabilities across the country.

 

He said persons with disabilities constitute a significant voting bloc whose participation could influence electoral outcomes if adequately mobilised.

 

“We have over 30 million persons with disabilities in Nigeria and a large percentage of them are of voting age. Their voices matter and their participation is important for inclusive democracy,” he said.

 

Responding to concerns over accessibility at polling units, Angwe acknowledged that barriers still exist but said advocacy efforts had led to improvements in recent elections.

 

According to him, INEC has introduced measures such as Braille ballot guides for visually impaired voters, magnifying glasses for persons with albinism and large-font voter information materials.

 

He added that advocacy groups were also pushing for wider deployment of sign language interpreters and more accessible polling environments for voters with disabilities.

 

“We are not yet where we want to be in terms of accessibility, but progress is being made. The goal is to ensure that no eligible Nigerian is denied participation because of disability,” he said.

 

The mobilisation exercise forms part of broader efforts by TAF Africa and its partners to promote inclusive participation in Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of future elections.