2027 Elections: INEC Decries Exclusion Of PwDs From Elective Positions In Akwa Ibom

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‎‎The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has decried the non-inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the list of candidates for elective positions by political parties in Akwa Ibom state.
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‎The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Anugbum Onuoha, said this at a press briefing on Thursday in Uyo, the state capital.
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‎“From our records, no political party fielded persons with disabilities for any elective position in Akwa Ibom, which is unfair.”
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‎“These are human beings who deserve to be elected into political offices to give them a sense of belonging,” Onuoha said.
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‎He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to an inclusive electoral process in which no eligible voter or group would be marginalised because of disability.
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‎“We are strengthening the capacity of our staff to provide appropriate assistance to persons with disabilities during PVC collection and on Election Day,” he said.
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‎On preparations for the 2027 election, the REC said INEC had successfully implemented nine of the 14 activities on its timetable.
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‎He said the ninth activity was the publication of the final list of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates on Saturday.
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‎Onuoha reminded political parties to meet the deadlines for submitting the names of their polling agents to electoral officers across the state’s 31 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
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‎“The deadline for the Presidential and National Assembly elections is Dec. 10, while that for the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections is Jan. 6, 2027.
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‎“Political parties are advised to comply strictly with these deadlines to facilitate the smooth coordination of electoral activities,” he said.
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‎The REC also announced that INEC had begun recruiting eligible Nigerians as ad hoc personnel for the 2027 General Election.
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‎He advised interested applicants to visit the official recruitment portal, https://pres.inecnigeria.org/, and follow the application guidelines.
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‎Onuoha said the portal was expected to close on Nov. 18, urging applicants to rely solely on official INEC channels for updates.
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‎He said voter education and sensitisation remained central to the commission’s preparations for the elections.
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‎According to him, INEC had visited 23 of the state’s 31 LGAs to encourage stakeholders to mobilise eligible voters in their communities.
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‎Onuoha further disclosed that the commission had begun receiving some non-sensitive election materials ahead of the polls.
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‎He said INEC had tested the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and was ready for the forthcoming elections.
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‎The REC urged political parties and their supporters to shun violence and vote-buying and support free, fair and credible elections.

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