INEC to Deploy 1.4 Million Ad Hoc Staff for 2027 General Elections

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced plans to mobilise over 1.4 million ad hoc staff for the 2027 general elections, with a large portion expected to come from the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Monday during a strategic courtesy visit to the NYSC headquarters in Abuja.

The delegation, which included national commissioners, senior officials and aides, was received by the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, at the Yakubu Gowon House.

Amupitan described corps members as central to Nigeria’s electoral process, noting that they have played key roles in elections since 1999, particularly as presiding officers and registration area officers.

He said INEC deployed about 1.2 million ad hoc staff during the 2023 general elections, with more than 70 per cent drawn from corps members and student volunteers.

For the 2027 polls, the INEC chairman revealed that the commission would require 707,384 corps members for the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and another 707,384 for governorship and state assembly elections fixed for February 6, 2027.

He added that additional personnel would be needed for off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as bye-elections in several other states including Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi and Kano.

Amupitan commended corps members for their patriotism, neutrality and digital competence, especially in the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS.

He also acknowledged the risks associated with election duties and assured that INEC would strengthen welfare, insurance and security arrangements for deployed personnel.

In response, NYSC Director-General Brigadier General Nafiu reaffirmed the scheme’s commitment to supporting INEC in conducting credible elections.

He described corps members as reliable and patriotic manpower, adding that their ICT skills would further enhance modern electoral operations.

Nafiu also called for improved welfare, compensation and insurance coverage for corps members involved in election duties, stressing that adequate support would boost morale and performance.

The NYSC boss assured that the scheme would fully mobilise corps members for the 2027 elections and continue to play a key role in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.

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