The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has stated that Persons With Disabilities, PWDs, have every right to participate in elections in line with Section 54 of the Electoral Act, as preparations intensify for the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, made the declaration on Tuesday in Osogbo while delivering her welcome address at an engagement meeting with PWDs and Electoral Officers on the deployment and use of assistive devices ahead of the election.

Babalola described the gathering as a significant step towards ensuring that the electoral process remains inclusive, transparent and accessible to every eligible voter, irrespective of disability.

She said the meeting underscored INEC’s commitment to inclusivity, equity and accessibility, stressing that persons with disabilities play a critical role in shaping Nigeria’s democracy and should not be excluded from the electoral process.

According to her, “The commission is determined to remove barriers that may hinder participation and to ensure that every eligible citizen can exercise the right to vote independently and with dignity.”

She added that improved access to voting tools and electoral information would encourage greater participation among PWDs and help reduce voter apathy within the community.

“Persons with disabilities have an equal right to participate in the electoral process. They also have the right to exercise their civic duties without fear, intimidation and discrimination, especially in political and leadership roles at all levels in Nigeria,” Babalola said.

The REC disclosed that INEC had launched a Framework on Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities in the Electoral Process and established a Department of Gender and Inclusivity to coordinate programmes aimed at promoting participation among vulnerable groups.

She noted that the commission had consistently engaged political parties on the need to establish PWD desk offices, a move which she said had led many parties to integrate disability-related functions into their National Working Committees.

Babalola explained that “Section 54 of the Electoral Act provides for assistive and inclusive devices designed to help PWDs vote independently, including Braille ballot guides, magnifying glasses and posters for voters who are deaf.”

She said the devices were developed through consultations with disability groups and are intended to enhance voter autonomy, protect confidentiality and facilitate a seamless voting experience on election day.

The REC urged participants at the workshop to master the use of the assistive devices and share the knowledge within their various clusters to ensure that all eligible PWD voters are adequately prepared before the governorship poll.

In a goodwill message, the Osun State Director of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Adebiyi Adefarasin Stephen said the agency remained committed to working with INEC to ensure a smooth electoral process and greater public confidence in the election.

The NOA Director stated that “democracy could only be meaningful when it is inclusive. The right to vote and be voted for belongs to every eligible Nigerian, including persons with disabilities.”

He commended INEC for convening the engagement and called on stakeholders to provide practical feedback to improve the deployment of assistive devices across polling units in the state.

Also speaking, the Osun State Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, Steven Idowu, called for greater support for persons with disabilities in exercising their civic rights and urged stakeholders to work towards building a society where every voice and every vote counts.