The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled plans to deploy modern technology and special voting arrangements to ensure Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and other vulnerable groups actively participate in the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.
The assurance was given by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ekiti State, Bunmi Omosehindemi, during the Ekiti Decides Citizens’ Town Hall Meeting organised by the Civil Society Network on Election Integrity in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday.
Omosehindemi said the commission remained committed to conducting an inclusive election that gives every eligible voter equal opportunity to participate without barriers.
According to him, INEC has acquired modern technological support systems designed specifically to assist persons with disabilities throughout the voting process.
He noted that beyond technology deployment, the commission had introduced operational measures to prioritise vulnerable voters at polling units across the state.
The REC explained that pregnant women, elderly persons and PWDs would receive priority attention during accreditation and voting to reduce stress and ensure convenience.
“We have acquired modern technology to help PWDs without any glitches so that they won’t be disenfranchised,” he said.
He added: “We have made special arrangements. Anybody that is vulnerable, PWDs, we are going to give them priority to vote on the voting day no matter who is on the line. We even encourage them to come out earlier so that they can cast their votes.”
Omosehindemi also called on Nigerians to show greater empathy and understanding towards vulnerable citizens, particularly during public activities such as elections.
“One thing in society is that Nigerians are supposed to have empathy. It seems we have lost our sense of humanity. When you see a pregnant woman, even if you want them to vote, some people will say, ‘I was here before.’ Until we change our orientation about that, it may continue,” he stated.
On voter readiness, the REC announced that the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would commence on June 4 and conclude on June 11 across Ekiti State.
He explained that the exercise would begin at registration areas from June 4 to June 9 before moving to local government areas between June 9 and June 11.
“The voter card collection will start on the 4th of June and it’s going to run till the 11th. We are going to take the voter cards to all the registration areas from the 4th to the 9th, and from the 9th to the 11th, we will take them to the local government areas,” Omosehindemi said.
Also addressing participants at the town hall meeting, Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, assured residents of adequate security before, during and after the election.
Falade disclosed that more than 10,000 police officers would be deployed across polling units and strategic locations to guarantee peaceful conduct of the governorship poll.
The Chairman of the Ekiti State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Emmanuel Aribasoye, urged residents to actively participate in the democratic process, stressing that voting remains both a civic responsibility and a means of shaping leadership.
“We encourage our members not only to vote but to exercise their civic roles. Gone are the days when Christians see politics as a dirty game. Voting is your right; if you fail to vote, you fail to take part in deciding the next leader,” he said.
Other stakeholders present at the engagement included representatives of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, the International Press Centre (IPC),TAF Africa, YiagaAfrica among others.
