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 INEC ad hoc 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.
Here is what prospective applicants need to know:
Who can apply?
Eligibility depends on the category being applied for, as well as the applicant’s educational background, employment status and institution.
Those covered by the recruitment include:
Serving NYSC members
Eligible former NYSC 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
Staff of institutions designated to host Registration Area Centres
Applicants are expected to check the specific requirements for their preferred category before submitting an application.
Requirements for SPOs
The Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) 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 INEC’s applicable conditions.
Serving NYSC members are also listed among potential applicants, while former corps members may qualify if they completed their service within the specified period.
For former corps members, the current criteria cover those whose service was completed 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.
Permanent staff of Federal and State MDAs with OND or NCE qualifications are also included under applicable conditions.
The criteria include different salary-grade requirements, including GL 07–10 and GL 07–14, depending on the category.
Applicants should therefore confirm the requirement attached to the particular position before proceeding with registration.
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, provided the other requirements are met.
The applicable requirement includes Grade Level 07 and above.
Requirements for RATECHs
RATECH stands for Registration Area Technical Support.
The category is intended 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.
How to apply
Eligible applicants can follow these steps:
1. Visit the INECPRES portal
Access the INECPRES recruitment platform through the official INEC website.
2. Read the eligibility requirements
Before starting the application, carefully check the requirements for the position you intend to apply for.
3. Select your category
Choose the position for which you meet the eligibility conditions.
4. Complete the registration
Enter the required personal details and other information requested on the platform.
5. Provide educational and employment details
Applicants should accurately provide their educational qualifications, employment status and other required information.
6. Review the application
Check all information supplied carefully to ensure that there are no errors or omissions.
7. Submit the application
Submit the completed application through the portal.
8. Keep your registration details
Applicants should retain their registration or application details for subsequent reference.
When does registration close?
The recruitment portal is scheduled to open at 8am on Friday, September 18, 2026, and close at midnight on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, according to the notice referenced in the supplied material.
Applicants are advised not to wait until the final day before completing their applications.
INECPRES helpdesk
Applicants who encounter technical difficulties or require clarification can contact INEC’s IT Service Management helpdesk.
The published contact details include:
Phone: 0700-CALL-INEC
Email: inecpress@inec.gov.ng
INEC had earlier announced that it would require about 1.4 million ad hoc personnel for the 2027 elections, reflecting the scale of the nationwide exercise.
