INEC to Deploy 1.4m Corps Members for 2027 Elections

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed plans to deploy more than 1.4 million members of the National Youth Service Corps for the conduct of the 2027 general election across the country.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made this known on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, at the scheme’s headquarters in Abuja.

The development was contained in a statement issued by the media adviser to the INEC chairman, Adedayo Oketola.

Amupitan described the partnership between INEC and the NYSC as central to the success of Nigeria’s electoral process, noting that corps members remain the backbone of election field operations nationwide.

According to him, the commission would require 707,384 corps members for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the same number would again be deployed for the Governorship and State Assembly elections fixed for February 6, 2027.

This, he said, brings the total number of corps members expected to participate in the two election exercises to 1,414,768.

The INEC chairman further disclosed that an additional 52,446 corps members would be deployed for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections as well as pending bye-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi and Kano states.

“As the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, I am honoured to have the opportunity to discuss our collaborative efforts toward ensuring a seamless and credible electoral process in Nigeria,” he said.

“You provide the heartbeat of our field operations. When we speak of election manpower, we are essentially speaking of your corps members.”

Amupitan noted that corps members have played critical roles in virtually all election cycles since 1999, insisting that INEC would struggle to conduct elections without the support of the NYSC.

“I dare say that INEC cannot conduct elections in Nigeria without the NYSC,” he stated.

Reflecting on the 2023 general election, the INEC chairman said the commission engaged about 1.2 million ad hoc staff, out of which over 70 per cent — nearly 850,000 personnel — were corps members and student volunteers.

He said their participation enhanced credibility and public confidence in the electoral process due to their neutrality and professionalism at polling units.

According to him, corps members accounted for almost 90 per cent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers in several 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 the most difficult terrains of this country,” he added.

Amupitan also commended corps members for their performance during off-cycle elections, including the Anambra governorship poll and the FCT Area Council elections, noting that their digital skills contributed significantly to the effective deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.

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

The INEC chairman acknowledged the risks often faced by corps members during elections and assured that efforts were ongoing to improve their welfare and security.

“We are constantly refining our insurance and welfare packages to reflect the value we place on their lives,” he stated.

He added that the commission would continue working closely with security agencies and the NYSC to ensure the safety of all personnel deployed for election duties.

Amupitan also identified the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states as important tests ahead of the 2027 general election.

“In addition to the general elections, we are also preparing for the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states on June 20 and August 16 respectively, as well as various bye-elections,” he said.

Responding, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Nafiu, reaffirmed the scheme’s commitment to supporting INEC in future elections.

He described corps members as reliable and adaptable manpower capable of meeting the demands of modern election management.

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

He assured the electoral commission of continued support for both the 2027 general election and upcoming off-cycle polls.