EU, UK, INEC, Others Seek Protection For Challenged Voters

The European Union (EU), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Albino Foundation (TAF Africa) have canvassed stronger security measures to protect persons with disabilities during the 2027 general elections.

They said disability inclusion must be integrated into election security planning, personnel training and emergency-response procedures to ensure that eligible voters can participate without fear.

The stakeholders made the call at a technical engagement on disability-inclusive election security and protection protocols organised by The Albino Foundation (TAF Africa), with funding from the European Union, in Abuja .

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, said the protection of voters with disabilities must cover every stage of the electoral process, from voter registration and political campaigns to voting and the post-election period.The

INEC chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, said electoral inclusion was a democratic obligation rather than an act of charity.

Amupitan, who was represented by the national commissioner, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, said every eligible citizen should be able to exercise the right to vote irrespective of disability or personal circumstances.

Similarly, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mignot Guttier, urged the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to strengthen measures to protect persons with disabilities against intimidation, violence and discrimination during elections.

Guttier said disability-inclusive election security must be integrated into police operational plans, personnel training and deployment instructions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The ambassador said the credibility of democracy depended not only on the conduct of elections but also on whether every eligible citizen could participate freely and safely.

“Democracy is not measured solely by the conduct of elections. It is also measured by whether every eligible citizen can participate freely, safely and meaningfully, without discrimination or fear,” he said.