The Independent National Electoral Commission has revealed plans to engage more than 1.4 million National Youth Service Corps members and other ad hoc personnel for the 2027 general elections across the country.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), disclosed this on Monday during a visit to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, at the scheme’s headquarters, Yakubu Gowon House, Abuja.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said the visit was not only a routine engagement but also an opportunity for the electoral body to appreciate the contribution of the NYSC to Nigeria’s democratic process.
Amupitan described the NYSC as one of the most important partners in the conduct of elections in Nigeria, noting that corps members had remained actively involved in virtually every electoral exercise since 1999.
“INEC cannot conduct elections in Nigeria without the NYSC,” he said.
“As the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, I am honoured to discuss our collaborative efforts toward ensuring seamless and credible elections in Nigeria.
“You provide the heartbeat of our field operations. When we speak of election manpower, we are essentially speaking of corps members.
“They are the most dedicated, educated and patriotic election duty staff we have, and their presence at polling units brings a level of neutrality and public confidence that is irreplaceable.
“They form the backbone of our election processes, especially as ad hoc staff, whose dedication, discipline and patriotism are critical to the success of our elections.”
The INEC chairman stated that records from the 2023 general election highlighted the significance of the partnership between both organisations.
According to him, the commission engaged about 1.2 million ad hoc officials during the 2023 elections, with over 70 per cent — nearly 850,000 personnel — made up of corps members and student volunteers.
Speaking on preparations for the 2027 polls, Amupitan said the commission would require 707,384 ad hoc staff for the Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for January 16, 2027.
He added that another 707,384 personnel would also be needed for the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections scheduled for February 6, 2027.
“For the 2027 general election, we will require 707,384 ad hoc staff for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.
“The same number will be needed for the governorship and Houses of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027, making a total of 1,414,768,” he said.
Amupitan further disclosed that INEC would deploy an additional 52,446 corps members for the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as for pending by-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi and Kano states.
He noted that corps members made up nearly 90 per cent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers in several states during past elections.
“These young Nigerians did not just facilitate voting; they protected the sanctity of the ballot in 176,846 polling units across some of the most difficult terrains in the country,” he stated.
The INEC chairman also commended corps members for their contributions during off-cycle elections, especially in Anambra State and the Federal Capital Territory Area Council polls.