2027 elections: How to apply for INEC ad-hoc staff recruitment - Blueprint Newspapers Limited

September 18, 2026 Adejayan Gbenga Nigerian News 0

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has opened its online portal for the recruitment of ad-hoc personnel who will participate in the 2027 general elections.

The recruitment covers several categories, including Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs), Presiding Officers (POs), Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs), Registration Area Centre (RAC) Managers and Registration Area Technical Support (RATECH) personnel.

Prospective applicants are expected to meet the eligibility requirements for their preferred category before commencing registration.

The recruitment is open to eligible serving NYSC members, qualified former corps members, students of Federal and State tertiary institutions, eligible Federal and State government employees, permanent staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), qualified INEC personnel, eligible ICT personnel and staff of institutions designated to host Registration Area Centres.

Applicants are advised to carefully check the specific requirements attached to each category because eligibility varies according to educational background, employment status, institution and other conditions.

Requirements for SPOs

The Supervisory Presiding Officer category is open to eligible personnel from the Federal Public/Civil Service and MDAs.

Public or civil servants on Grade Level 10 to 14 may qualify, subject to the applicable conditions set by INEC.

Serving NYSC members are also among potential applicants, while former corps members may qualify if they completed their national service within the specified period.

For former corps members, the stated criteria cover those who completed their service in 2024, 2025 or 2026.

Requirements for POs and APOs

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

Students of Federal and State tertiary institutions can apply under the specified categories, depending on their year of study and the applicable requirements.

Permanent staff of Federal and State MDAs with OND or NCE qualifications are also covered under the relevant conditions.

The requirements include different salary-grade levels, including GL 07–10 and GL 07–14, depending on the particular category.

Applicants should therefore confirm the requirements for the specific position they intend to apply for before submitting their applications.

Requirements for RAC Managers

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

The head of a school or an eligible staff member of the institution hosting the RAC may qualify for the position, provided the other requirements are satisfied.

The applicable requirement includes Grade Level 07 and above.

Requirements for RATECHs

RATECH, which means Registration Area Technical Support, is designed for applicants with relevant ICT and technical backgrounds.

Eligible applicants include suitable INEC ICT personnel at the state and headquarters levels who are not engaged in other duties, as well as IT students of Federal and State tertiary institutions.

Former corps members within the commission may also qualify where applicable.

Eligible applicants can begin the process by visiting the INECPRES recruitment portal through the official INEC website.

Applicants should first read the eligibility requirements carefully and confirm that they qualify for the category they intend to apply for.

They should then select their preferred category and complete the registration by providing the required personal information.

Educational qualifications, employment status and other requested details should be supplied accurately.

Before submitting the application, applicants are advised to review all the information provided to ensure that there are no errors or omissions.

Once the details have been checked, the completed application can be submitted through the portal.

Applicants should also retain their registration or application details for subsequent reference.

When does registration close?

According to the notice referenced in the supplied material, the recruitment portal is scheduled to open at 8am on Friday, September 18, 2026, and close at midnight on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.

Applicants are advised to complete their applications early rather than waiting until the final day of registration.

Applicants who experience technical difficulties or require clarification during the registration process can contact INEC’s IT Service Management helpdesk.

The published contact details include 0700-CALL-INEC and the designated INEC helpdesk email address.

INEC had earlier announced that it would require about 1.4 million ad hoc personnel for the 2027 general elections, reflecting the scale of the nationwide electoral exercise.

Prospective applicants are therefore advised to carefully follow the recruitment guidelines and provide accurate information throughout the registration process.