APC Leader Calls for Accurate Representation of Voters with Disabilities in Nigeria

Tolu Bankole, the All Progressives Congress National Leader for Persons with Disabilities, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reassess how it reports figures for voters with disabilities (PWD) on the national register. 

In a statement released in Abuja, Bankole criticized the current figure of 137,487 PWDs cited by INEC, arguing it fails to encompass the total number of registered voters with disabilities in Nigeria. He highlighted that this number primarily reflects those who registered after INEC introduced a specific disability field in its Continuous Voter Registration process in 2021.

Bankole explained that individuals who registered before 2021 were not adequately captured in the current statistics, as previous systems did not consistently record disability status. “The figure is a flow measure from 2021 to now, not a stock measure of all PWDs historically registered,” he stated.

He called on INEC to transparently qualify PWD statistics, emphasizing the limitations of the data due to its collection methodology. Furthermore, he advocated for increased awareness campaigns to help eligible PWDs understand the importance of indicating their disability status during registration.

The APC leader also pointed out that even the 2021 figures may be an undercount since many PWDs registered without declaring their status. He attributed this lack of self-identification to stigma and a general lack of awareness regarding the benefits of declaring a disability.

Bankole urged INEC to devise legal and privacy-compliant strategies to enhance the visibility of PWDs on the voters’ register. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with PWD advocacy groups to ensure better representation in future elections.

The breakdown of the reported figures includes 13,080 visually impaired individuals, 9,299 hearing-impaired persons, 30,561 individuals with albinism, 19,430 individuals with physical impairments, and 54,941 categorized under other disabilities.

Bankole's call for action aligns with ongoing efforts to ensure that the voices of all Nigerians, particularly those with disabilities, are heard in the electoral process. As the 2027 elections approach, the need for accurate data representation becomes even more crucial.