INEC To Deploy 1.4 Million Corps Members For 2027 General Election

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, has disclosed that more than 1.4 million members of the National Youth Service Corps will be mobilised for the 2027 general election across the country.

Amupitan made the disclosure on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle O. Nafiu, at the Yakubu Gowon House, the headquarters of the scheme in Abuja.

In a statement signed by Adedayo Oketola, CPS/Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman. described the meeting with the NYSC management as more than a routine visit, saying it was an opportunity to appreciate the crucial role corps members play in Nigeria’s electoral process.

According to him, the NYSC remains one of the most vital pillars supporting Nigeria’s democracy, noting that corps members have consistently participated in election operations since 1999.

“In the complex architecture of Nigeria’s democracy, there is no pillar more vital than the NYSC. I dare say that INEC cannot conduct elections in Nigeria without the NYSC,” he said.

Amupitan explained that corps members constitute the largest segment of the commission’s ad hoc election workforce, adding that their neutrality and professionalism continue to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.

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

Giving a breakdown of preparations for the 2027 elections, the INEC chairman said 707,384 corps members would be needed for the Presidential and National Assembly election scheduled for January 16, 2027, while another 707,384 would be deployed for the Governorship and State Assembly elections fixed for February 6, 2027.

He added that the commission 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 noted that 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 stated.

The INEC chairman further praised the corps members for their digital proficiency, especially in operating the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during recent elections, including the Anambra governorship poll and the FCT Area Council elections.

He also acknowledged the risks often faced by corps members during election duties and assured that the commission would continue to strengthen welfare, insurance and security arrangements in collaboration with security agencies.

“As the 2027 general election approaches, we are committed to working closely with the NYSC to ensure proper training and mobilisation of all ad hoc staff needed for the elections,” he added.

Responding, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Nafiu, appreciated INEC for sustaining its partnership with the scheme.

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

The NYSC DG described corps members as credible, reliable and easily trainable manpower, adding that the incoming generation of Gen Z corps members would bring greater digital competence to election administration.

He assured INEC of the scheme’s continued support for both the 2027 general election and upcoming off-cycle governorship elections.