By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed plans to deploy more than 1.4 million members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the conduct of the 2027 general election across the country.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, revealed this on Monday at the Commissions Heaquarters during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle O. Nafiu, at the Yakubu Gowon House, Abuja.
Amupitan described the NYSC as a critical pillar in Nigeria’s democratic process, noting that the electoral body could hardly conduct elections successfully without the support of corps members.
“In the complex architecture of Nigeria’s democracy, there is no pillar more vital than the NYSC,” he said.
According to him, corps members have consistently played central roles in election operations since 1999, particularly as ad hoc staff at polling units nationwide.
“You provide the heartbeat of our field operations. When we speak of election manpower, we are essentially speaking of your corps members. They are the most dedicated, educated, and patriotic election duty staff we have,” he stated.
The INEC chairman disclosed that 707,384 corps members would be engaged for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while another 707,384 would be deployed for the Governorship and State Assembly elections fixed for February 6, 2027.
This, according to him, brings the total number of corps members required for the two election cycles to 1,414,768.
Amupitan further revealed that an additional 52,446 corps members would be needed for the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as pending bye-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi, and Kano states.
Reflecting on the 2023 general election, he said INEC deployed about 1.2 million ad hoc staff, out of which over 850,000 were corps members and student volunteers.
“In many states, corps members accounted for nearly 90 per cent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers. They protected the sanctity of the ballot in 176,846 polling units across difficult terrains in the country,” he added.
He also commended the corps members for their technological competence, especially in operating the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during elections.
“Their digital proficiency ensured seamless performance of BVAS during the Anambra governorship election and the FCT Area Council polls,” he said.
Amupitan acknowledged the risks associated with election duties and assured that INEC would continue to strengthen welfare and security measures for corps members participating in electoral assignments.
As preparations intensify for the 2027 elections, the INEC chairman formally requested the continued support of the NYSC in mobilising and training personnel for the exercise.
Responding, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Nafiu, assured INEC of the scheme’s commitment to supporting credible elections.
He described corps members as “credible, reliable, and easily trainable manpower,” adding that the incoming generation of corps members, mostly Gen Z, possess strong digital skills that would further enhance election administration.
Nafiu noted that the Memorandum of Understanding between INEC and NYSC, first signed in 2011, had continued to strengthen collaboration between both institutions.
He pledged that the NYSC would fully support INEC in both the 2027 general election and off-cycle polls across the country.
