The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan on Monday revealed that the commission is preparing to engage about 1.4 million National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members for the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan disclosed this during a visit to the NYSC national headquarters in Abuja where he led a delegation of national commissioners, directors, senior aides and the commission’s secretary to meet with the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, and members of the scheme’s management team at Yakubu Gowon House.
Speaking during the visit, the INEC chairman described the visit as an opportunity to appreciate the NYSC for its long-standing support in Nigeria’s electoral process.
He noted that corps members had remained central to election operations over the years, particularly in serving as presiding officers and other ad hoc personnel across polling units nationwide.
According to Amupitan, INEC recruited nearly 1.2 million temporary staff for the 2023 general election, with corps members and student volunteers accounting for more than 70 per cent of the workforce.
He explained that preparations had already begun for the 2027 polls, adding that the commission would require 707,384 corps members for the presidential and National Assembly elections slated for 16 January 2027.
Another 707,384 personnel, he said, would be needed for the governorship and state assembly elections scheduled for 6 February 2027.
He further disclosed that additional personnel would also be deployed for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as bye-elections expected in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi and Kano states.
Amupitan commended corps members for what he described as their discipline, neutrality and adaptability, particularly in handling election technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
He also assured the NYSC leadership that the commission was working to improve security, welfare and insurance arrangements for corps members involved in election duties.
Reacting, Nafiu praised the partnership between both organisations, describing corps members as dependable and quick to adapt to responsibilities assigned to them during elections.
Nafiu said the NYSC would continue to support INEC’s efforts to conduct transparent and credible elections across the country.
He, however, appealed for better welfare packages, compensation and insurance coverage for corps members participating in election assignments.
He stressed that improved support would encourage greater commitment among participants.
The NYSC DG assured the electoral commission that the scheme would fully mobilise corps members and relevant administrative staff ahead of the forthcoming elections as part of efforts to strengthen democratic processes in the country.
