The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to engage a total of 1,414,768 corps members for the 2027 general elections. The INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, made this known during a meeting with the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), OO Nafiu, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Amupitan lauded NYSC members as the most dedicated, educated, and patriotic personnel for electoral duties, emphasizing that their involvement at polling units has significantly enhanced public confidence and neutrality. He noted that corps members account for nearly 90% of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers in many states, overseeing voting and ballot integrity across 176,846 polling units nationwide.
For the 2027 elections, 707,384 corps members will be required for the Presidential and National Assembly polls on January 16, with the same number needed for the Governorship and Houses of Assembly elections on February 6, totaling over 1.4 million. The INEC chairman highlighted the successful performance of corps members in previous elections, including the Anambra governorship and FCT Area Council polls, where their digital skills ensured the efficient operation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to collaborating with the NYSC and security agencies to implement rigorous safety protocols for corps members. He also disclosed ongoing improvements to insurance and welfare programs to reflect the value placed on their contributions. The commission aims to ensure a well-structured, peaceful, and transparent electoral process through shared responsibility and cooperation with the NYSC.