The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Rivers State office has trained Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), Electoral Officers and Disability Desk Officers on electoral procedures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission held the sensitisation programme at its state office in Port Harcourt to promote inclusive voting and improve access to the electoral process.
The programme was themed “Sensitization on Disability Intervention With Persons With Disabilities, Electoral Officers and Disability Desk Officers Ahead of 2027 General Elections”.
Representing the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem, the Administrative Secretary, Dr Angela Ebhodaghe, reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to protecting the voting rights of eligible citizens with disabilities. She said the commission aimed to ensure that physical disabilities did not prevent eligible citizens from exercising their constitutional right to vote.
“Every eligible citizen, regardless of physical ability, must be empowered to exercise their constitutional right to vote,” she said.
Dr Ebhodaghe also described the meeting as part of the commission’s commitment to an electoral system that upholds inclusion, transparency and equity.
The engagement brought together people with disabilities and electoral officials to discuss disability-related interventions ahead of the next general elections.
INEC Rivers is working to promote participation by ensuring that disability does not become a barrier to voting. The commission’s sensitisation programme also focused on the roles of Electoral Officers and Disability Desk Officers in supporting inclusive electoral procedures. As preparations continue for the 2027 general elections, access to voting remains an important part of ensuring that eligible citizens can participate in the democratic process.
The commission’s commitment, as stated by Dr Ebhodaghe, is to ensure that all eligible voters can exercise their constitutional rights regardless of physical ability.
Further details about specific interventions, accessibility arrangements and implementation plans were not included in the information provided.
