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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Ogun State has assured that Persons With Disabilities, PWDs, the elderly, and pregnant women will be given priority during the 2027 elections in the state.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Ogun State, Feyijimi Shaseyi, gave the assurance during a media parley held at the Secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Abeokuta, on Thursday.
Shaseyi stated that the Commission has put in place deliberate measures to ensure inclusivity and ease of participation for vulnerable groups, stressing that no eligible voter would be disenfranchised on account of physical condition or circumstance.
According to her, INEC has developed policies and operational frameworks to cater specifically to the needs of PWDs, adding that dedicated departments within the Commission have been tasked with overseeing the welfare and participation of vulnerable voters, to ensure that they are attended to promptly and with dignity.
She said, “The provisions include the provision of assistive materials such as Braille guides for visually impaired voters, as well as support systems for those with mobility challenges.
“On election day, nobody will be excluded. We have structures in place to ensure that persons living with disabilities, the elderly, and pregnant women are given priority at polling units.
“I want to encourage PWDs not to stay away from the electoral process due to fear or uncertainty. Adequate arrangements have been made to guarantee their comfort and safety at polling units across the state.”
Speaking earlier, the NUJ Chairman, Wale Olanrewaju, affirmed that journalists are not mere observers in the electoral process but active partners in promoting transparency, credibility, and public trust.
“As journalists, we do not only see ourselves as critical stakeholders, but also as partners in ensuring transparency, deepening credibility, and building public trust in our electoral system.
“The media has taken deliberate steps to actively engage political actors by providing platforms where they can openly discuss their ambitions and policies,” he stated.
We will give priority to PWDs, elderly on election days – INEC
