The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that Nigerians who do not have fingers are not denied their right to vote in upcoming elections.
The Chairman of JONAPWD in Abia State, Wisdom Kalu, made this appeal during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Umuahia on Thursday, August 18. The meeting was organised in preparation for the start of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which begins nationwide on the same day.
Kalu pointed out that many Nigerians are born without fingers or have lost them through accidents, illness, or in industrial workplaces. According to him, such individuals still have the right to choose their leaders and participate in the country’s democratic process.
“No Nigerian should be excluded from voting simply because of a disability,” Kalu said. “There are people among us who, due to no fault of theirs, do not have fingers. Some were born that way, others lost theirs through accidents or work-related injuries. These people are still full citizens and deserve equal treatment during elections.”
He stressed the need for INEC to adopt alternative methods of identifying and registering such persons, especially during biometric capturing, which usually requires fingerprints.
Kalu also urged INEC and other relevant authorities to create a friendly and accessible voting environment for persons with physical disabilities during elections in Abia State and across the country. He said doing so would help strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and show respect for all citizens, regardless of their physical condition.
“We are asking for simple things – accessible polling units, trained electoral officers who understand how to assist us, and no discrimination,” he added. “Everyone deserves to be part of the election process.”
In response, the Abia State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Chukwuemeka Ibeziako, reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to running credible, free, fair, and inclusive elections. He said the CVR exercise was designed to give all eligible Nigerians an opportunity to register and participate in future elections.
Mr. Ibeziako explained that online pre-registration would begin on August 18, while physical registration at all INEC local government offices and designated centres across the country would start on Monday, August 25, 2025.
He outlined the key groups targeted in the registration exercise, including:
-Nigerians who are turning 18 and registering for the first time
– Registered voters who have lost or damaged their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs)
– Citizens who have moved to new locations and need to transfer their voter registration
– Voters who want to update their personal details such as names or addresses
– Individuals correcting errors on their PVCs
The REC encouraged traditional rulers, community leaders, and civil society groups in Abia to support the exercise by mobilising and educating the public, especially those in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
He also acknowledged the concerns raised by JONAPWD, promising that INEC would work to address the specific needs of persons with disabilities.
“We have heard your concerns, and INEC is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind,” Ibeziako said. “We are working to improve accessibility at polling units and to make sure that our registration process does not unfairly exclude anyone due to physical limitations.”
Nigeria has an estimated 27 million persons living with disabilities, many of whom face challenges when it comes to participating fully in elections. While INEC has taken steps in recent years to provide election materials in Braille and to allow priority voting for persons with disabilities, gaps still remain, especially for those with mobility issues or without access to necessary identification tools like fingerprints.
Thursday’s meeting brought together electoral officials, disability rights advocates, community leaders, and other stakeholders who all agreed on the importance of inclusivity in the democratic process.
