Corps members central to 2027 elections, INEC tells DG

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced plans to deploy no fewer than 1.4 million ad hoc staff for the 2027 general elections.

This is as the agency noted that corps members have continued to play a central role in Nigeria’s electoral process since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), made this known on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, at the Yakubu Gowon House, headquarters of the scheme in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC chairman, Adedayo Oketola, Amupitan described the meeting with the NYSC senior management team as more than a formal courtesy visit, saying it was also a mission of gratitude.

According to him, the NYSC remains a critical pillar in Nigeria’s democratic process.

He noted that corps members had participated in virtually every election cycle since 1999, stressing that, “INEC cannot conduct elections in Nigeria without the NYSC”.

“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,” he added.

Amupitan said institutional data from the 2023 general elections showed the importance of the partnership between INEC and the NYSC.

He explained that INEC deployed about 1.2 million ad hoc staff for the 2023 elections, with over 70 per cent, nearly 850,000 personnel drawn from corps members and student volunteers.

Speaking on preparations for the 2027 elections, the INEC chairman said more than 1.4 million ad hoc staff would be engaged, with corps members making up the majority.

“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.

He added that INEC would also require 52,446 corps members for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, as well as bye-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi and Kano states.

Amupitan said corps members accounted for nearly 90 per cent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers in many states during previous 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 said.

He further praised corps members for their role in off-cycle elections, particularly the Anambra governorship election and the FCT Area Council polls.

According to him, their digital proficiency contributed significantly to the seamless operation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.

“In those exercises, it was the digital proficiency of corps members that ensured the seamless performance of our BVAS, proving they are the tech-savvy backbone of our modern democracy,” he added.

Amupitan acknowledged the sacrifices made by corps members during elections and assured that INEC would continue to work with the NYSC and security agencies to strengthen safety measures and welfare packages for them.

“As the 2027 general election approaches, we are committed to ensuring adequate mobilisation and preparedness of NYSC members for this important national assignment,” he said.

He also noted that the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, scheduled for June 20 and August 16 respectively, alongside several bye-elections, would serve as tests for innovations ahead of the 2027 elections.

Responding, the NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Nafiu, thanked INEC for its continued collaboration with the scheme.

He recalled that the Memorandum of Understanding between both organisations was signed in 2011 and had been periodically renewed.

Nafiu described corps members as credible, reliable and easily trainable manpower.

“The last batch of millennials will soon exit the scheme, leaving behind Gen Z corps members known for their digital savviness, which will benefit INEC,” he said.

He assured the commission of the NYSC’s continued support in both the 2027 general elections and upcoming off-cycle elections.