- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) plans to deploy 1.4 million ad hoc personnel for the 2027 general election
- 707,384 corps members needed for Presidential and National Assembly elections on January 16, 2027
- INEC promises improved welfare and security for corps members amidst election duties
FCT, Abuja – The Independent National Electoral Commission has disclosed that more than 1.4 million ad hoc personnel, largely made up of members of the National Youth Service Corps, will be deployed for the 2027 general election.
The announcement was made by the Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, during a strategic courtesy visit to the headquarters of the NYSC in Abuja.
Source: Twitter
The INEC delegation, which included National Commissioners, directors and senior officials, was received by the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, and members of the scheme’s management team at the Yakubu Gowon House.
INEC outlines corps members’ role in elections
Via a post shared on X, Prof. Amupitan described the engagement as more than a routine courtesy call, noting that it was intended to appreciate the NYSC for its long-standing support in Nigeria’s electoral process.
He stated that corps members have remained central to election operations since 1999, especially in the areas of voter accreditation and polling unit administration.
According to him, the 2023 general election involved approximately 1.2 million ad hoc workers, with more than 70 per cent, nearly 850,000 personnel, comprising corps members and student volunteers.
Over 700,000 corps members to be used per election phase
Providing details of preparations for the 2027 elections, 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.
Another 707,384 corps members are expected to be deployed for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections fixed for February 6, 2027.
The commission also noted that additional personnel would be required for off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as bye-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi and Kano states.
INEC praises corps members’ contribution
Amupitan commended corps members for their commitment, discipline and neutrality during election duties across the country.
“In many states, corps members accounted for nearly 90 per cent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers. They protected the sanctity of the ballot across 176,846 polling units nationwide,” he said.
He also praised their ability to effectively operate the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which has become a key part of Nigeria’s electoral process.
INEC promises better welfare and security
The INEC chairman acknowledged the risks corps members often face while participating in election activities and assured the NYSC leadership that the commission was working to improve welfare and security measures.
He said efforts were underway to strengthen insurance coverage, welfare packages and safety arrangements for corps members deployed during elections across the country.
INEC slammed over 2027 election
Previously, Legit.ng reported that Bauchi state Governor, Bala Mohammed, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the scheduling of activities for the 2027 general elections, describing it as insensitive for key political party primaries to overlap with the Hajj period.
The governor spoke on Wednesday, May 7, during a farewell ceremony for intending Muslim pilgrims at the Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar Hajj Camp in Bauchi.
Source: Legit.ng