The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says about 1.4 million ad hoc workers will be engaged to conduct the 2027 general elections across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with a Pre-Election Assessment Mission from the International Republican Institute (IRI), led by former United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Jendayi Frazier.
Amupitan described the 2027 election as a major logistical undertaking, given the number of personnel and polling locations that would be involved.
He said, “In 2027, INEC will deploy a workforce of approximately 1.4 million ad-hoc personnel across more than 176,000 Polling Units nationwide.”
The chairman said preparations for the election were already underway, with the commission implementing an operational plan that includes Continuous Voter Registration and a comprehensive review of the voter register.
He explained that INEC would use its Automated Biometric Identification System to detect and remove duplicate voter records in an effort to improve the accuracy and credibility of the register.
According to him, the commission was also working to strengthen its logistics operations through early planning and collaboration with transport unions to ensure that election materials and personnel arrive at polling units on time.
Amupitan further said measures were being introduced to make voting more accessible, particularly for persons with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers and elderly voters.
He noted that recent off-cycle elections had allowed INEC to assess the effectiveness of its technology, logistics and security arrangements ahead of the 2027 polls.
The INEC chairman said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the electronic transmission and display of polling unit results through the INEC Result Viewing portal had achieved upload rates exceeding 98 per cent during recent off-cycle elections.
“Technology has permanently closed the door on legacy voting vulnerabilities, ensuring that the ballot box alone determines electoral outcomes,” he said.
Despite the progress, Amupitan identified insecurity, electoral violence, vote-buying, hate speech, disinformation and foreign interference in the information space as continuing threats to Nigeria’s electoral process.
He said INEC was collaborating with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, as well as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, to tackle election-related threats.
Amupitan also disclosed that INEC would participate in the signing of the First National Peace Accord on Issue-Based Campaigns by presidential candidates under the National Peace Committee.
He described the IRI delegation’s visit, which commenced on August 11 and is scheduled to end on August 21, as timely, particularly with campaigns for the 2027 elections expected to begin on Wednesday.
The INEC chairman said the commission remained open to international election observers, describing their assessments and recommendations as useful to improving Nigeria’s electoral system.
He assured the delegation that INEC would remain transparent and cooperate fully with stakeholders as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
“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.
