The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will deploy over 1.4 million National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members for the 2027 general elections across the country.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Monday during a courtesy visit to the leadership of the National Youth Service Corps in Abuja.
Amupitan met with the NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, to strengthen collaboration ahead of the elections.
According to a statement by INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, the chairman described the NYSC as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s democratic and electoral system, noting that corps members have consistently played key roles in elections since 1999.
He said INEC could not effectively conduct elections without the support of corps members, whom he described as the backbone of field operations and the most reliable ad hoc electoral staff.
Amupitan added that their neutrality, discipline, and professionalism have continued to strengthen public confidence in electoral outcomes nationwide.
He recalled that during the 2023 general elections, INEC deployed about 1.2 million ad hoc staff, with over 70 per cent made up of corps members and student volunteers.
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For the 2027 elections, he said INEC will require 707,384 corps members each for the presidential/National Assembly elections and the governorship/state assembly polls, bringing the total to 1,414,768 ad hoc personnel.
He also noted that additional corps members would be needed for off-cycle and bye-elections, including about 52,446 personnel.
Amupitan praised corps members for safeguarding electoral materials across thousands of polling units and commended their performance during the Anambra governorship and FCT Area Council elections, particularly their effective use of the BVAS system.
He assured that INEC is working to improve welfare, safety, and insurance coverage for all ad hoc staff, while also emphasising the need for early training ahead of the 2027 elections and upcoming off-cycle polls in Ekiti and Osun States.
In his response, the NYSC Director-General commended the long-standing partnership between both institutions, noting that their Memorandum of Understanding has been in place since 2011.
He described corps members as credible, reliable, and digitally skilled personnel, adding that their growing technological competence will further enhance electoral processes.
He assured INEC of the NYSC’s continued commitment to supporting credible elections in Nigeria.
