Electoral body relies heavily on corps members for polling operations as preparations intensify for 2027 general elections.
By John Ishaku – ABUJA — May 11, 2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to mobilise over 1.4 million National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members as ad hoc staff for the 2027 general elections across Nigeria.
The disclosure was made by the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, during a strategic engagement with the NYSC leadership in Abuja, where he reaffirmed the central role of corps members in the country’s electoral process.
Corps Members Remain Backbone of Elections
Prof. Amupitan stated that corps members have consistently formed the backbone of election administration in Nigeria since 1999, particularly in roles such as Presiding Officers and Registration Area Officers.
He noted that INEC continues to depend on the NYSC scheme due to its nationwide presence, discipline, and neutrality in electoral assignments.
According to him, the partnership has remained critical to the credibility and operational success of past elections.
Deployment Plan for 2027 Elections
The INEC chairman revealed that for the 2027 general elections, the Commission would deploy a massive workforce drawn largely from the NYSC scheme.
He said 707,384 corps members would be required for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while another 707,384 would be deployed for the Governorship and State Assembly elections on February 6, 2027.
Additional personnel will also be engaged for off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as bye-elections in parts of Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi, and Kano states.
Strong Role in 2023 Elections Highlighted
Amupitan recalled that during the 2023 general elections, INEC deployed about 1.2 million ad hoc staff, with corps members and student volunteers accounting for over 70 per cent of the workforce.
He added that in some states, corps members made up nearly 90 per cent of polling and collation officers, managing electoral duties across 176,846 polling units nationwide.
He praised their performance, describing them as disciplined, patriotic, and technically capable, particularly in the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Welfare and Security Concerns Addressed
The INEC chairman acknowledged the risks associated with election duty and assured that the Commission is working to improve insurance coverage, welfare packages, and security arrangements for corps members deployed during elections.
He described the engagement with the NYSC leadership as a “mission of profound gratitude” rather than a routine courtesy visit.
NYSC Reaffirms Commitment
In his response, NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, commended the long-standing partnership between both institutions.
He described corps members as reliable, patriotic, and adaptable manpower that continues to support Nigeria’s democratic process.
Nafiu also emphasized the growing role of tech-savvy corps members in modern election administration, noting that the next generation of participants is highly skilled in digital systems.
He, however, called for improved welfare, insurance, and compensation for corps members engaged in election duties to boost morale and performance.
With preparations for the 2027 general elections intensifying, INEC’s reliance on NYSC corps members once again highlights their strategic importance in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration to ensure credible, transparent, and efficient elections across the country.
![Nigerian military prepares to cordon the area where a man was killed by suspected rebel fighters during an attack around the Polo area of Maiduguri, Nigeria, in 2019 [File: Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters]](https://a1news.com.ng/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Nigeria-military-on-patrol.webp)
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