2027 Polls: How To Apply For INEC Ad Hoc Staff Recruitment

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has opened its online portal for the recruitment of ad hoc staff for the 2027 general elections.

The commission said it plans to recruit and deploy about 1.4 million ad hoc personnel across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide for the elections.

Ad hoc staff are temporary election personnel recruited, trained and deployed to perform specific duties during elections and disengaged after the exercise.

The personnel will be deployed for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, as well as the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections slated for February 6, 2027.

According to a public notice issued by the commission on Thursday, the recruitment will be conducted through the INEC Portal for Recruitment of Election Staff, known as INECPRES.

“The INEC Portal for Recruitment of Election Staff, known as INECPRES, will open at 8am on Friday, September 18, 2026, and close at midnight on Wednesday, November 18, 2026,” the commission stated.

The recruitment covers various categories of election personnel, including Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs), Presiding Officers (POs), Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs), Registration Area Centre (RAC) Managers and Registration Area Technical Support (RATECH) personnel.

Who Can Apply For INEC Ad Hoc Staff Recruitment?

INEC said eligibility for the recruitment varies according to the position, applicant’s institution, employment status and educational qualifications.

Those who may be eligible to apply include:

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

The commission advised prospective applicants to check the specific eligibility requirements for their preferred category before submitting their applications.

Requirements For Supervisory Presiding Officers

The Supervisory Presiding Officer category covers eligible personnel from the Federal Public/Civil Service and Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

According to INEC, public-sector employees on Grade Level 10 to 14 may qualify for the position, subject to the applicable conditions.

Serving NYSC members are also included in the eligibility criteria, while former corps members may qualify where their service falls within the period specified by the commission.

INEC listed 2024, 2025 and 2026 as examples for former corps members whose service was completed within the specified three-year period preceding the election.

Requirements For Presiding Officers And Assistant Presiding Officers

The Presiding Officer and Assistant Presiding Officer categories include eligible students of tertiary institutions and certain government employees.

Students of Federal and State tertiary institutions may apply, with eligibility varying according to their year of study.

Permanent staff of Federal and State MDAs with OND or NCE qualifications are also included under specified conditions.

The commission’s notice provides different salary-grade requirements, including Grade Level 07-10 and Grade Level 07-14, depending on the applicable category.

Applicants are therefore advised to confirm that they meet the requirements before selecting a position.

Requirements For RAC Managers

The Registration Area Centre Manager category is linked to schools and other institutions designated to host Registration Area Centres (RACs) or Super RACs.

According to INEC, the head of a school or a staff member of the institution hosting the RAC may qualify for the position, subject to the specified requirements, including the applicable Grade Level 07 and above condition.

Requirements For RATECHs

RATECH refers to Registration Area Technical Support.

The category is targeted at applicants with relevant ICT and technical backgrounds.

INEC listed eligible commission ICT staff at the state and headquarters levels who are not engaged in other duties, as well as IT students of Federal and State tertiary institutions.

Former corps members may also be considered where applicable.

How To Apply For INEC Ad Hoc Staff Recruitment

Interested applicants are required to follow these steps:

1. Visit the INECPRES web portal or access the portal through the official INEC website.
2. Read the instructions and eligibility requirements for the available positions.
3. Select the position for which you are eligible.
4. Complete the required registration details.
5. Enter your personal, educational and employment information accurately.
6. Provide the required supporting information.
7. Review all information supplied before submitting the application.
8. Submit the application.
9. Keep your registration or application details for future reference

When Does INEC Ad Hoc Staff Recruitment Close?

The INECPRES recruitment portal opens at 8am on Friday, September 18, 2026.

Applications will close at midnight on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.

INEC advised prospective applicants to complete their applications before the deadline and avoid waiting until the final day.

INECPRES Helpdesk

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

Applicants can contact the helpdesk through the 0700-CALL-INEC vanity number or via email at [email protected].