INEC Plans 1.4m Ad Hoc Personnel for 2027 Elections, Targets 176,000 Polling Units

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it plans to deploy approximately 1.4 million ad hoc personnel across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide for the 2027 general election.

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday when he received a delegation from the International Republican Institute (IRI), led by its President, Dan Twining, in Abuja.

The IRI delegation is in Nigeria from August 11 to 21 for a pre-election assessment mission focused on evaluating INEC’s preparedness for the 2027 polls and identifying areas where international collaboration and technical support could strengthen the electoral process.

Amupitan said INEC was already strengthening its logistics operations, expanding early deployment strategies and improving coordination with transport unions to ensure the timely movement of election materials and personnel.

He described the IRI mission as timely, coming shortly after the Osun State governorship election and ahead of the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general election.

INEC Highlights Electoral Technology Progress

The INEC chairman said recent off-cycle elections and legislative by-elections had provided important operational tests for the commission’s technology, logistics and security arrangements.

According to him, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal have maintained high levels of operational reliability, with result-upload rates exceeding 98 per cent in recent elections.

He said the commission was also implementing reforms aimed at improving voter registration through online registration, continuous updating of the voters’ register and measures designed to improve the accuracy of voter information.

INEC, he added, would strengthen measures to make the electoral process more accessible to persons with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers and elderly voters.

INEC Raises Alarm Over AI, Fake News

Amupitan identified misinformation, disinformation and the misuse of artificial intelligence as emerging threats to electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 elections.

He disclosed that the commission had established an AI-focused unit to develop protocols for responsible technology use and counter false information capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

The chairman also reiterated INEC’s commitment to neutrality, stressing that the commission would not favour any political party or candidate.

According to him, INEC’s primary responsibility is to conduct elections that accurately reflect the will of Nigerians.

He cited the recent Osun governorship election as part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to deliver credible and peaceful elections, while acknowledging the need to improve voter turnout in future polls.

IRI Pledges Support for Credible 2027 Poll

Speaking at the meeting, Twining said the IRI mission was aimed at supporting a competitive, peaceful and credible electoral process in Nigeria.

He said the delegation would assess INEC’s preparations, identify potential challenges and examine how the international community could provide technical and other forms of support for Nigeria’s democratic process.

“We know how committed Nigerians are to exercising their democratic rights,” Twining said.

“Our interest is a competitive, peaceful and credible election in Nigeria, and we look forward to learning how we can support that objective.”

The assessment comes as INEC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general election, with logistics, electoral technology, voter registration, security and the growing influence of artificial intelligence emerging as key areas of focus.