The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will deploy no fewer than 1.4 million members of the National Youth Service Corps for the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan (SAN), made this known during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig Gen Olakunle Nafiu, at the scheme’s headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC chairman, Adedayo Oketola, Amupitan described the meeting with the NYSC senior management team as more than a formal courtesy visit, saying it was also a mission of gratitude.
According to him, the partnership between INEC and the NYSC has continued to strengthen electoral credibility and public confidence in the nation’s democratic process.
He noted that corps members had participated in virtually every election cycle since 1999, stressing that, “INEC cannot conduct elections in Nigeria without the NYSC.
“You provide the heartbeat of our field operations. When we speak of election manpower, we are essentially speaking of corps members.
“They are the most dedicated, educated and patriotic election duty staff we have, and their presence at polling units brings a level of neutrality and public confidence that is irreplaceable.
“They form the backbone of our election processes, especially as ad hoc staff, whose dedication, discipline and patriotism are critical to the success of our elections,” he added.
He revealed that data from the 2023 general elections showed that out of the 1.2 million ad hoc staff engaged by the commission, over 850,000 were corps members and student volunteers.
Speaking on preparations for the 2027 elections, Amupitan said more than 1.4 million ad hoc staff would be engaged, with corps members making up the majority.
“For the 2027 general election, we will require 707,384 ad hoc staff for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.
“The same number will be needed for the governorship and Houses of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027, making a total of 1,414,768,” he said.
He added that INEC would also require 52,446 corps members for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, as well as by-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi and Kano states.
Amupitan said corps members accounted for nearly 90 per cent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers in many states during previous elections.
“These young Nigerians did not just facilitate voting; they protected the sanctity of the ballot in 176,846 polling units across some of the most difficult terrains in the country,” he said.
According to him, their digital proficiency contributed significantly to the seamless operation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.
“In those exercises, it was the digital proficiency of corps members that ensured the seamless performance of our BVAS, proving they are the tech-savvy backbone of our modern democracy,” he added.
Amupitan acknowledged the sacrifices made by corps members during elections and assured that INEC would continue to work with the NYSC and security agencies to strengthen safety measures and welfare packages for them.
Responding, Brig Gen Nafiu thanked INEC for its continued collaboration with the scheme.
He recalled that the Memorandum of Understanding between both organisations was signed in 2011 and had been periodically renewed.
Nafiu described corps members as credible, reliable and easily trainable manpower, adding that the current generation of corps members possess strong digital skills that would further support the electoral process.
Nafiu reaffirmed the commitment of the NYSC to supporting the commission in the conduct of the 2027 general elections and upcoming off-cycle elections.
