Section 54
Visually impaired and incapacitated voters(1) A Voter with visual impairment or other form of disability who is otherwise unable to distinguish symbol or who suffers from any other physical disability may be accompanied into the polling unit by a person chosen by him or her and that person shall, after informing the Presiding officer of the disability, be permitted to accompany the voter into the voting compartment and assist the voter to make his or her mark in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Commission.
(2) The Commission shall take reasonable steps to ensure that persons with disabilities, special needs and vulnerable persons are assisted at the polling place by the provision of suitable means of communication, such as Braille, large embossed print, electronic devices, sign language interpretation, or off site voting in appropriate cases.
This section makes provisions for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to enable them to have an improved voting experience.
Subsection (2) mandates the Commission to take reasonable steps to ensure that persons with disabilities, special needs and vulnerable persons are assisted at the polling place by the provision of suitable means of communication, such as Braille, large embossed print or electronic devices, sign language interpretation, or off-site voting in appropriate cases. In the repealed Act, this requirement was discretionary and focused more on blind voters. The 2022 Act has expanded the scope of this provision and provided better protection for PWDs.
According to paragraph 25 of the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022, PWDs, visibly pregnant women, nursing or breast-feeding mothers and the elderly, shall be granted priority access to voting at the Polling Units.
See: INEC Framework on Access And Participation Of Persons With Disabilities (PWDS) In The Electoral Process at: https://www.inecnigeria.org/news-all/inec-framework-on-access-and-participation-of-persons-with-disabilities-pwds-in-the-electoral-process/
See also, publication on Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review (August 2017).
