The Independent National Electoral Commission has opened its online portal for the recruitment of ad hoc staff for the 2027 general elections.
The commission said the recruitment will support the deployment of about 1.4 million ad hoc personnel across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide. INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, previously disclosed that the commission would require approximately 1.4 million temporary personnel for the elections.
The electoral body has listed the INECPRES portal as the platform through which eligible applicants can register for election duties.
INEC’s official website currently provides access to the INECPRES recruitment service.
When will the 2027 INECPRES application open?
According to the recruitment notice supplied by INEC, the portal opens at 8am on Friday, September 18, 2026, and closes at midnight on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.
Applicants are advised to complete their registration before the deadline rather than wait until the final hours.
Who can apply?
INEC’s recruitment covers several categories of temporary election personnel.
Potential applicants include eligible:
- Serving NYSC members;
- Former NYSC members who meet the specified conditions;
- Students of Federal and State tertiary institutions;
- Eligible Federal and State government employees;
- Permanent staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies;
- Qualified INEC personnel;
- Eligible ICT personnel; and
- Personnel connected with institutions designated to host Registration Area Centres.
Eligibility is not identical across all categories. Applicants are expected to check the requirements for the particular position before beginning the application.
Positions available
The recruitment covers Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs), Presiding Officers (POs), Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs), Registration Area Centre Managers (RAC Managers) and Registration Area Technical Support personnel (RATECHs).
Requirements for SPOs
The SPO category includes eligible personnel from the Federal Public/Civil Service and MDAs.
The recruitment notice lists public-sector employees on Grade Levels 10 to 14 among those who may qualify, subject to the applicable conditions.
Serving NYSC members are also included, while former corps members may qualify where they meet INEC’s specified timeframe.
The notice lists 2024, 2025 and 2026 as qualifying service years for certain former corps members.
Requirements for POs and APOs
Students of Federal and State tertiary institutions are among those eligible for PO and APO positions, although the requirements vary according to the applicant’s level of study.
Permanent staff of Federal and State MDAs holding OND or NCE qualifications may also qualify under specified conditions.
INEC has different grade-level requirements for applicable categories, including GL 07-10 and GL 07-14.
Applicants should therefore confirm the exact conditions displayed for their selected position.
Requirements for RAC Managers
RAC Managers are connected to schools and other institutions designated to host Registration Area Centres or Super RACs.
A head of a school or an eligible staff member of the institution hosting a RAC may qualify, subject to the conditions set by INEC, including the applicable Grade Level 07 and above requirement.
Requirements for RATECHs
RATECH means Registration Area Technical Support.
The category is aimed at applicants with relevant ICT and technical backgrounds.
INEC’s criteria include eligible ICT personnel within the commission who are not engaged in other duties, IT students of Federal and State tertiary institutions and qualifying former corps members where applicable.
How to apply for INEC ad hoc staff recruitment
Eligible applicants can follow these steps:
1. Visit the INECPRES portal.
Access the recruitment platform through INEC’s official website or the INECPRES web portal.
2. Read the eligibility requirements.
Check the conditions attached to each available position before selecting one.
3. Select your preferred position.
Choose only a position for which you meet the stated requirements.
4. Complete the registration form.
Enter your personal information and other required details.
5. Provide your educational and employment information.
Ensure the information supplied corresponds with your qualifications and current status.
6. Review your details carefully.
Check the application for errors or omissions before submission.
7. Submit the application.
Complete the online registration process and retain the relevant application or registration details for future reference.
The official INECPRES platform is available at pres.inecnigeria.org, while INEC’s main website provides access to its election-staff recruitment service.
2027 election dates
INEC’s current election information lists the Presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, followed by the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027.
The commission has said it expects to deploy approximately 1.4 million ad hoc personnel for the two major election days. Earlier figures provided by the INEC chairman put the requirement at 707,384 personnel for each of the two general-election days, giving a combined 1,414,768.
INECPRES helpdesk
Applicants who encounter difficulties can use INEC’s helpdesk services.
INEC’s current INECPRES contact page lists the commission’s headquarters contact and the 0700-CALL-INEC number for enquiries.
Applicants should rely on INEC’s official platforms for recruitment information and avoid unofficial websites or individuals requesting payment to process applications.
