INEC OPENS PORTAL FOR 2027 ELECTION AD HOC STAFF RECRUITMENT

The Independent National Electoral Commission has opened its online portal for the recruitment of ad hoc personnel who will participate in the 2027 general elections. The commission said it plans to deploy about 1.4 million temporary election workers across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide for the two phases of the elections.

The personnel will be engaged in different capacities during the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, as well as the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections fixed for February 6, 2027. According to INEC, the INECPRES portal opened at 8am on Friday, September 18, 2026, and will remain open until midnight on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.

The recruitment covers positions including Supervisory Presiding Officers, Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers, Registration Area Centre Managers and Registration Area Technical Support personnel. Eligible applicants may include serving NYSC members, qualified former corps members, students of Federal and State tertiary institutions, eligible Federal and State government employees, permanent staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, qualified INEC personnel, ICT personnel and staff connected to institutions designated to host Registration Area Centres. Eligibility requirements differ depending on the position.

For Supervisory Presiding Officers, the eligibility criteria include certain Federal Public and Civil Service workers and MDA employees on Grade Levels 10 to 14, as well as serving NYSC members and eligible former corps members whose service falls within the specified period. Presiding Officer and Assistant Presiding Officer positions are open to eligible tertiary institution students and certain government employees, while permanent MDA staff with OND or NCE qualifications may also qualify under specified conditions. Registration Area Centre Manager positions are linked to institutions hosting RACs or Super RACs, while RATECH positions are targeted at applicants with relevant ICT and technical backgrounds.

Interested applicants are required to access the INECPRES portal through the official INEC website, review the eligibility requirements and select an appropriate position before completing the registration process. Applicants are expected to accurately provide their personal, educational and employment information, review their details and submit the application before the November 18 deadline. INEC also said its IT Service Management operates a 24-hour helpdesk for enquiries through 0700-CALL-INEC or its designated email channel.