How to Vote if You Have a Disability

Every Nigerian citizen has the right to vote, regardless of physical ability. INEC has provisions to ensure that persons with disabilities (PWDs) can exercise their voting rights.

Your Rights as a Voter with a Disability

• You have the right to vote just like every other citizen.
• You have the right to priority in the queue — INEC guidelines state that elderly persons, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities should be given priority.
• You have the right to assistance in the voting cubicle if needed.

Assistive Voting

If you have a disability that prevents you from marking the ballot on your own:

1. Choose someone you trust to accompany you into the voting cubicle.
2. The person must be at least 18 years old and is usually someone you know (family member, friend, caregiver).
3. The assistant will mark the ballot according to your instructions only.
4. INEC officials will verify that the assistant is acting on your behalf.

For Visually Impaired Voters

• INEC provides Braille ballot guides (tactile ballot overlays) at polling units.
• These guides have raised markings that help you locate each candidate's position on the ballot paper.
• You can also bring a trusted assistant.

For Voters with Mobility Challenges

• If you use a wheelchair, crutches, or have difficulty standing for long periods, inform the INEC official at the polling unit.
• You should be moved to the front of the queue.
• Polling units should be set up to be accessible — although accessibility varies, improvements are ongoing.

For Voters with Hearing Impairments

• The voting process is largely visual and physical, so hearing impairment typically does not affect your ability to vote.
• If you need clarification on the process, you can bring someone to assist with communication.

Reporting Accessibility Issues

If your polling unit is not accessible or if INEC officials deny you reasonable assistance, you can:

• Report to the presiding officer at the polling unit.
• Contact INEC's Situation Room during elections.
• Report through the MyPollingUnit app using the Incident Reporting feature — you can include photos and your GPS location for evidence.

Every vote counts, and nobody should be left behind.