The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that 232,658 persons with disabilities registered to vote in the 2027 general election.
The figure, contained in the latest voters’ register, is just over 0.2 per cent of the 103.43 million registered voters nationwide.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed this on Tuesday at a national stakeholders’ meeting held to mark 100 days to the 2027 general election.
Amupitan said the registered persons with disabilities are spread across 10 categories, which he said shows the need for greater attention to inclusivity in the electoral process.
“The register records 232,658 persons with disabilities, spread across 10 disability categories,” he said.
He said the largest category is classified as “others”, with 101,183 registered voters, representing 43.49 per cent of persons with disabilities on the register.
Persons with albinism followed with 44,023 voters, or 18.92 per cent, while 27,141 persons with physical impairments were registered, representing 11.67 per cent.
The register also contains 19,936 voters with visual impairment, representing 8.57 per cent, and 14,326 persons with deafness, representing 6.16 per cent.
According to INEC, 8,832 voters with autism are on the register, accounting for 3.80 per cent, while 7,723 voters with cognitive or learning disabilities represent 3.32 per cent.
The commission further recorded 5,755 voters under another disability category, representing 2.47 per cent. Another 2,008 persons with Down syndrome and 1,656 with spinal cord injuries are also registered.
The figures come as INEC prepares for the nationwide display of the voters’ register from October 9 to 15, which will give registered voters the opportunity to verify their details and raise objections where necessary.
Amupitan said the commission’s preparations are focused on ensuring that the 2027 election meets standards of transparency, integrity and inclusivity.
He described the 100 day milestone as “not just a countdown” but “a call to action”.
The INEC chairman said the commission is working to ensure that the 2027 election “is not only successful, but serves as a global benchmark for transparency, integrity and peace.”
