In preparation for the upcoming 2027 general elections, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has announced plans to deploy over 1.4 million ad hoc staff, largely drawn from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Amupitan disclosed this during a visit by INEC’s top management team to the NYSC headquarters in Abuja, where they were received by the Director-General, Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, and senior officials of the scheme.
Describing the engagement as a mission of profound gratitude, the INEC chairman praised the vital role corps members have played in Nigeria’s electoral process since 1999, particularly as presiding officers and registration area officers across polling units nationwide.
He revealed that INEC would require 707,384 corps members for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and another 707,384 for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections slated for February 6, 2027.
READ ALSO:
According to him, additional personnel would also be deployed for off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as bye-elections in several states including Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi, and Kano.
Amupitan noted that during the 2023 general elections, about 1.2 million ad hoc staff were deployed, with corps members and student volunteers making up over 70 per cent of the workforce.
He commended corps members for their patriotism, discipline, and neutrality, as well as their competence in operating the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which has become central to Nigeria’s electoral process.
The INEC boss also acknowledged the risks associated with election duties and assured that efforts are ongoing to improve welfare, insurance, and security arrangements for corps members.
In his response, Nafiu reaffirmed the NYSC’s commitment to supporting INEC in delivering free, fair, and credible elections, describing corps members as reliable and highly trainable manpower.
He also called for enhanced welfare packages and insurance coverage to motivate corps members participating in election assignments.
