The Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission) has announced plans to deploy more than 1.4 million National Youth Service Corps members as ad hoc staff for the 2027 general elections.

The disclosure was made on Monday by INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, during a strategic visit to the headquarters of the National Youth Service Corps in Abuja.

Amupitan led a delegation of National Commissioners, directors, and senior officials to the NYSC headquarters, where they were received by the Director-General of the scheme, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, at the Yakubu Gowon House.

Speaking during the visit, the INEC chairman described corps members as a critical pillar in Nigeria’s electoral process, noting that they have consistently played key roles in election management since 1999.

He revealed that INEC is preparing to mobilise over 1.4 million ad hoc personnel for the 2027 polls, with a significant portion expected to be drawn from the NYSC scheme.

According to him, during the 2023 general elections, INEC deployed about 1.2 million ad hoc staff, with corps members and student volunteers accounting for more than 70 percent of the workforce.

For the 2027 elections, Amupitan gave a breakdown of expected deployment, stating that 707,384 corps members will be needed for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while another 707,384 will be required for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections fixed for February 6, 2027.

He added that additional personnel would also be required for off-cycle governorship elections in states such as Ekiti and Osun, as well as bye-elections across several constituencies nationwide.

The INEC chairman praised corps members for their discipline, neutrality, and increasing digital competence, particularly in the use of election technologies like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

“In many states, corps members accounted for nearly 90 percent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers. They protected the sanctity of the ballot across 176,846 polling units nationwide,” he said.

Amupitan also acknowledged the risks involved in election duties and assured that efforts would be made to improve insurance coverage, welfare, and security arrangements for corps members involved in electoral assignments.

In his response, NYSC Director-General Nafiu reaffirmed the scheme’s commitment to supporting credible elections in Nigeria, describing corps members as reliable and patriotic personnel who remain essential to the country’s democratic process.

He also highlighted the increasing digital skills of corps members, noting that younger cohorts are well-positioned to support modern election systems.

Nafiu further called for improved welfare and compensation packages for corps members deployed during elections, stressing that better support would enhance their motivation and performance.

The NYSC leadership assured INEC of full cooperation ahead of the 2027 elections, pledging continued collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system.