2027 elections: INEC opens recruitment for 1.4m ad hoc staff

The Independent National Electoral Commission has opened its online portal for the recruitment of about 1.4 million ad hoc personnel for the 2027 general elections.

The temporary election workers will be deployed to more than 176,000 polling units across the country for the two rounds of the elections.

The Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.

According to a public notice issued by INEC on Thursday, the INEC Portal for Recruitment of Election Staff, known as INECPRES, opened at 8am on Friday, September 18, 2026.

The commission said applications would remain open until midnight on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.

Ad hoc personnel are recruited, trained and deployed for specific electoral assignments and are disengaged after the elections.

Who can apply?

INEC said eligibility depends on the position being applied for, the applicant’s educational background, institution, employment status and other specified conditions.

Categories of potential applicants include:

• Serving National Youth Service Corps members;
• Former NYSC members who meet the specified requirements;
• Students of Federal and State tertiary institutions;
• Eligible Federal and State government employees;
• Permanent staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies;
• Qualified INEC personnel;
• Eligible ICT personnel; and
• Staff of institutions designated to host Registration Area Centres.

The commission advised applicants to carefully check the eligibility requirements for their preferred position before submitting an application.

Positions available

The recruitment covers several categories of election personnel, including Supervisory Presiding Officers, Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers, Registration Area Centre Managers and Registration Area Technical Support personnel.

For Supervisory Presiding Officers, INEC said eligible personnel in the Federal Public/Civil Service and other MDAs could apply.

Public-sector employees on Grade Level 10 to 14 are among those listed under the category, subject to the applicable requirements.

Serving NYSC members are also eligible under the specified conditions, while former corps members may qualify if their service falls within the period prescribed by INEC.

The commission listed 2024, 2025 and 2026 as qualifying service years for certain former corps members.

For Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers, eligible students of Federal and State tertiary institutions are among those who can apply.

The requirements differ according to applicants’ years of study and other conditions.

Permanent staff of Federal and State MDAs holding OND or NCE qualifications may also qualify under specified conditions, with applicable salary grades including GL 07-10 and GL 07-14.

Registration Area Centre Managers

The Registration Area Centre Manager position is primarily linked to institutions designated to host RACs or Super RACs.

INEC said the head of a school or a staff member of an institution hosting a RAC may qualify, provided the applicant meets the stipulated requirements, including the applicable Grade Level 07 and above condition.

Registration Area Technical Support

RATECH, which means Registration Area Technical Support, is intended for applicants with relevant ICT and technical experience.

Eligible INEC ICT personnel at state and headquarters levels who are not engaged in other duties are listed among those who may apply.

IT students of Federal and State tertiary institutions are also included, while former corps members may qualify where they meet the applicable conditions.

How to apply

Applicants seeking to join the 2027 election workforce are required to:

1. Visit the INECPRES recruitment portal through the official INEC website.
2. Read the instructions and eligibility requirements for the available positions.
3. Select a position for which they meet the requirements.
4. Complete the registration form with the required details.
5. Provide accurate personal, educational and employment information.
6. Supply any other required information.
7. Review the information entered before submission.
8. Submit the application.
9. Keep the registration details for future reference.

INEC advised applicants to verify their eligibility before applying for a particular category.

Application deadline

The INECPRES portal opened at 8am on Friday, September 18, 2026, and will close at midnight on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline rather than wait until the final hours of the exercise.

INECPRES helpdesk

INEC said its IT Service Management operates a 24-hour helpdesk to assist applicants with enquiries relating to the recruitment platform.

Applicants can contact the commission through the 0700-CALL-INEC vanity number or email inecpress@inec.gov.ng for assistance.