2027 polls: How to apply for INEC ad hoc staff recruitment

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has opened its online portal for the recruitment of ad hoc staff for the 2027 general elections.

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Ad hoc staff are temporary personnel recruited, trained and deployed for specific elections and released after the exercise.

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In this recruitment, the electoral umpire said it will deploy about 1.4 million across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide.n

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Those recruited will work in various capacities for INEC during the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections scheduled for February 6, 2027.

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According to a public notice issued by the commission on Thursday, “the INEC Portal for Recruitment of Election Staff, known as INECPRES, will open at 8am on Friday, September 18, 2026, and close at midnight on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.”

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The commission said interested applicants could access the application through its official website, INEC official website, while the web version of the INECPRES portal is available at INECPRES portal.n

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The recruitment covers several categories of election personnel, including Supervisory Presiding Officers, Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers, Registration Area Centre Managers and Registration Area Technical Support personnel.

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Who can apply?

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INEC said eligibility varies according to the position, an applicant’s institution, employment status and educational background.

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Potential applicants include eligible:

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• Serving NYSC members;
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• Former NYSC members who meet the specified conditions;
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• Students of Federal and State tertiary institutions;
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• Eligible Federal and State government employees;
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• Permanent staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies;
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• Qualified INEC personnel;
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• Eligible ICT personnel; and
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• Personnel connected with institutions designated to host Registration Area Centres.
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Applicants are required to check the specific eligibility conditions for their preferred position before applying.

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Requirements for SPOs

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The Supervisory Presiding Officer category covers eligible personnel from the Federal Public/Civil Service and Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

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The notice lists public-sector employees within Grade Level 10 to 14 among those who may qualify, subject to the applicable conditions.

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Serving NYSC members are also included in the eligibility criteria, while former corps members may qualify where their service falls within the period specified by INEC.

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The notice gives 2024, 2025 and 2026 as examples for former corps members whose service was completed within the specified three-year period before the election.

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Requirements for POs and APOs

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The Presiding Officer and Assistant Presiding Officer categories include eligible students of tertiary institutions and certain government employees.

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Students of Federal and State tertiary institutions are listed among the eligible applicants, with the requirements varying according to their year of study.

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Permanent staff of Federal and State MDAs with OND or NCE qualifications are also included under specified conditions.

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The notice provides different salary-grade requirements, including GL 07-10 and GL 07-14, depending on the applicable category.

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Applicants should therefore confirm their eligibility before selecting a position.

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Requirements for RAC Managers

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The Registration Area Centre Manager category is linked to schools and other institutions designated to host RACs or Super RACs.

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According to the notice, the head of a school or a staff member of the institution hosting the RAC may qualify, subject to the specified requirements, including the applicable Grade Level 07 and above condition.

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Requirements for RATECHs

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RATECH means Registration Area Technical Support.

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The category is targeted at applicants with relevant ICT and technical backgrounds.

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The notice lists eligible INEC ICT staff at the state and headquarters levels who are not engaged in other duties, as well as IT students of Federal and State tertiary institutions.

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Former corps members within the commission may also be considered where applicable.

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How to apply

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Interested applicants can apply by following these steps:

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• Visit the INECPRES web portalor access INECPRES through the official INEC website.
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• Read the instructions and eligibility requirements for the available positions.
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• Select the position for which you are eligible.
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• Complete the required registration details.
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• Enter your personal, educational and employment information accurately.
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• Provide the required supporting information.
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• Review the information supplied before submitting the application.
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• Submit the application.
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• Keep the registration or application details for future reference.
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Application deadline

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The INECPRES recruitment portal opens at 8am on Friday, September 18, 2026.

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Applications close at 12 midnight on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.

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Applicants are advised to complete their applications before the deadline rather than wait until the final day.

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INECPRES helpdesk

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The notice states that INEC’s IT Service Management operates a 24-hour helpdesk for enquiries relating to the platform.

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Applicants can use the 0700-CALL-INEC vanity number or email [email protected] for enquiries.n

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