INEC Sets to deploy 1.4 Million Ad Hoc Staff for 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it plans to deploy about 1.4 million ad hoc workers for the 2027 general elections across more than 176,000 polling units in Nigeria.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with a pre-election assessment team from the International Republican Institute, led by former United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Jendayi Frazier.

Amupitan said the large number of personnel would be needed to manage the huge logistical demands involved in conducting the 2027 elections across the country.

He said preparations for the elections were already underway, with the commission working on several areas aimed at improving the credibility and efficiency of the polls.

As part of the preparations, INEC is carrying out Continuous Voter Registration and reviewing the national voter register. The commission also plans to use its Automated Biometric Identification System to detect and remove duplicate voter records.

The INEC chairman said the commission was also working to improve the movement of election materials and personnel. Early deployment plans and cooperation with transport unions are expected to help ensure that polling units open on time on election day.

The commission is also planning measures to make voting easier for people who may face challenges at polling units. These include persons living with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers and elderly voters.

Amupitan said recent off-cycle elections had helped INEC assess its technology, logistics and security arrangements ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He noted that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the electronic uploading of polling unit results through the INEC Result Viewing portal had recorded upload rates of more than 98 per cent during recent off-cycle elections.

He said INEC would continue to use technology to improve the voting and result management process and reduce problems that have affected elections in the past.

However, the commission identified insecurity, election-related violence, vote-buying, hate speech, disinformation and foreign interference in information as some of the issues that could affect the 2027 polls.

Amupitan said INEC was working with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security to address security concerns. The commission is also working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on issues linked to electoral offences and corruption.

The INEC chairman also disclosed that the commission would take part in the signing of the First National Peace Accord on Issue-Based Campaigns by presidential candidates under the National Peace Committee.

He said the meeting with the IRI delegation was coming at an important period, especially with public campaigns for the 2027 elections scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

The IRI delegation began its visit to Nigeria on August 11 and is expected to remain in the country until August 21 as part of its assessment of preparations for the elections.

Amupitan welcomed international observers, describing their assessments and recommendations as useful to the electoral process. He assured the delegation that INEC would remain open and cooperate with relevant partners as preparations continue.

The commission, he said, is focused on organising a free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive election that reflects the choice of Nigerian voters.