The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) plans to deploy about 1.4 million ad hoc personnel for the 2027 general elections. The personnel will cover more than 176,000 polling units across the country as the commission prepares for the nationwide exercise.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday during a meeting with the International Republican Institute’s Pre-Election Assessment Mission in Abuja. The delegation was led by former United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Jendayi Frazier. Amupitan said the planned deployment reflected the scale of the logistics required to conduct an election involving millions of voters.
“In 2027, INEC will deploy a workforce of approximately 1.4 million ad-hoc personnel across more than 176,000 Polling Units nationwide,” he said.
INEC begins preparations for 2027 elections
The commission has begun several measures to improve the credibility and efficiency of the 2027 electoral process. These include Continuous Voter Registration and a comprehensive audit of the voter register. Amupitan said INEC would also use its Automated Biometric Identification System to identify and remove duplicate voter records.
He said the exercise would help the commission produce a more accurate register ahead of the election. INEC is also working to strengthen its logistics operations through early deployment plans. The commission plans to partner with transport unions to ensure electoral personnel and materials reach polling units on time.
INEC targets more inclusive voting
The INEC chairman said the commission was taking steps to make voting more accessible to vulnerable groups. He said INEC would provide specialised assistive devices for persons with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers and elderly voters.
Amupitan added that recent off-cycle elections allowed the commission to test its technology, logistics and security arrangements ahead of the 2027 polls. He said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and electronic transmission of polling-unit result sheets recorded upload rates above 98 per cent during recent off-cycle elections. According to him, technology has reduced some of the weaknesses associated with Nigeria’s previous electoral processes.
“Technology has permanently closed the door on legacy voting vulnerabilities, ensuring that the ballot box alone determines electoral outcomes,” he said.
However, Amupitan acknowledged that several challenges remain. He identified security threats, electoral violence, vote-buying, hate speech and disinformation as major risks to the 2027 elections. He also listed foreign information manipulation among the threats facing the electoral process.
The chairman said INEC was working with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security. The commission is also working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to address the threats.
Campaigns set to begin
Amupitan also disclosed that INEC would participate in the signing of the First National Peace Accord on Issue-Based Campaigns by presidential candidates. The National Peace Committee is organising the agreement as political parties prepare for the 2027 elections. The INEC chairman described the IRI delegation’s visit as timely, noting that public campaigns are scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
The IRI Pre-Election Assessment Mission began on August 11 and is expected to conclude on August 21. Amupitan assured the delegation that INEC would continue to work with international observers and other institutional partners. He said their assessments could help strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system and improve future elections. The chairman reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible and inclusive election.
“Our sole mandate is to serve as an uncompromising, impartial umpire dedicated to delivering a free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive election that reflects the sovereign will of the Nigerian people,” he said.
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