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Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has launched its official online portal to begin enrolling temporary election workers ahead of the 2027 general polls.
Ad hoc personnel comprise temporary field officers who undergo training and deployment for specific electoral exercises before being discharged upon completion of the assignment.
To ensure smooth operations across the country, the commission plans to mobilize approximately 1.4 million ad hoc workers across more than 176,000 polling centers nationwide.
Selected candidates will serve in different capacities across the country during the Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for January 16, 2027, as well as the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections fixed for February 6, 2027.
A public announcement released by the commission on Thursday indicated that “the INEC Portal for Recruitment of Election Staff, known as INECPRES, will open at 8am on Friday, September 18, 2026, and close at midnight on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.”
Prospective applicants can access the registration form via the main INEC portal or through the dedicated INECPRES web address.
The recruitment drive spans multiple operational roles, such as Supervisory Presiding Officers, Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers, Registration Area Centre Managers, and Registration Area Technical Support staff.
Who can apply?
INEC noted that qualification criteria depend on the specific role, the candidate’s affiliated institution, employment status, and academic background.
Eligible applicant pools comprise:
- Currently serving NYSC members;
- Ex-NYSC members who fulfill specified guidelines;
- Undergraduates and students in Federal and State tertiary institutions;
- Qualified Federal and State civil servants;
- Full-time staff working in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs);
- Eligible internal INEC personnel;
- Qualified IT and technical personnel; and
- Staff attached to facilities designated to host Registration Area Centres.
Candidates must carefully review the requirements tied to their desired role before filling out the form.
Requirements for SPOs
The Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) cadre is open to qualified workers within the Federal Civil Service as well as various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
According to the directive, public sector workers on Grade Level 10 through 14 who meet the commission’s conditions are eligible.
Serving corps members are equally eligible, alongside former corps members provided their service period matches INEC’s stated timeframe.
For former corps members, the commission cited 2024, 2025, and 2026 as acceptable service years falling within the 3-year window prior to the election.
Requirements for POs and APOs
Roles for Presiding Officers (POs) and Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs) are targeted at qualified tertiary students alongside select public servants.
Students enrolled in Federal and State tertiary institutions meet the baseline criteria, with specific placement dependent on their current academic level.
Likewise, regular employees of Federal and State MDAs holding Ordinary National Diploma (OND) or National Certificate in Education (NCE) qualifications can apply under set guidelines.
Salary grade limits vary by role—ranging from GL 07–10 to GL 07–14—making it necessary for candidates to double-check their grade before applying.
Requirements for RAC Managers
Registration Area Centre (RAC) Managers are tied directly to educational facilities and designated centers hosting RACs or Super RACs.
The official notice states that school heads or senior administrative staff of host institutions on Grade Level 07 or higher may apply.
Requirements for RATECHs
Registration Area Technical Support (RATECH) personnel handle technical and ICT operations during the exercise.
This category targets candidates with verified technical skills, including unassigned INEC ICT personnel at state and national offices, as well as computer science and IT students in tertiary institutions.
Former corps members who served within the commission’s ICT units may also be considered.
How to apply
Qualified individuals should follow these steps to register:
- Access the INECPRES application portal directly or via the main INEC site.
- Carefully read through the role specifications and eligibility terms.
- Pick the position matching your current qualifications.
- Start the registration process by setting up an account.
- Fill in accurate personal, educational, and employment details.
- Upload all required supporting credentials and verification documents.
- Re-check all entered information to ensure zero errors.
- Submit your completed application.
- Print and save your registration slip for future reference.
Application deadline
The portal opens officially at 8:00 AM on Friday, September 18, 2026, and will cease taking entries at 12:00 midnight on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.
Applicants are advised to complete their submissions early to avoid last-minute portal congestion.
INECPRES helpdesk
INEC’s IT Service Management unit has activated a 24/7 helpdesk to assist applicants experiencing issues on the portal.
Applicants can reach out via the vanity line 0700-CALL-INEC or send an email to inecpress@inec.gov.ng.
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