INEC to deploy 1.4 million ad hoc staff for 2027 elections — Amupitan

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) plans to deploy around 1.4 million ad-hoc staff across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide for the 2027 general elections, according to INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan. This extensive personnel deployment reflects the scale of the electoral operation required for the 2027 polls.

Amupitan disclosed these plans during a meeting with the International Republican Institute’s Pre-Election Assessment Mission delegation at INEC's headquarters in Abuja. The commission is already implementing an operational roadmap, including Continuous Voter Registration and an audit of the voter register, to ensure accuracy. INEC is also strengthening its logistics system and deploying technology like the Automated Biometric Identification System to eliminate duplicate voter records.

Amupitan emphasized that technological advancements have reduced vulnerabilities in the voting process, ensuring that only the ballot box determines electoral outcomes. He acknowledged ongoing threats such as security risks, electoral violence, and disinformation, and noted that INEC is collaborating with security agencies and financial regulatory bodies to address these challenges.

The commission welcomes international election observation missions as partners, emphasizing its commitment to delivering a free, fair, and transparent election that reflects the will of the Nigerian people.