The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to deploy approximately 1.4 million ad hoc personnel for the 2027 general elections.
The commission disclosed this on Tuesday when it hosted a delegation from the International Republican Institute (IRI), led by its president, Dan Twining, during a pre-election assessment visit in Abuja.
The IRI delegation is in Nigeria from August 11 to 21 to evaluate INEC’s preparedness for the 2027 polls and determine areas where international cooperation and technical assistance could strengthen the electoral process.
Speaking at the meeting, INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan said the ad hoc personnel would be deployed across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide.
Amupitan also disclosed that the commission was improving its logistics operations, expanding early deployment measures and strengthening collaboration with transport unions to facilitate the timely movement of election materials and personnel.
He described the IRI assessment as timely, particularly following the recently concluded Osun governorship election and with preparations for the 2027 campaign season underway.
According to the INEC chairman, recent off-cycle elections and legislative by-elections have provided opportunities to test the commission’s electoral technology, logistics and security arrangements.
He said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal had continued to demonstrate strong operational performance, with result-upload rates surpassing 98 per cent during recent elections.
Amupitan further said INEC was introducing reforms aimed at improving voter registration, including online registration, continuous updates to the voters’ register and measures to enhance the accuracy of voter information.
He added that the commission would strengthen provisions to make elections more accessible to persons with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers and elderly voters.
The INEC chairman identified misinformation, disinformation and the misuse of artificial intelligence as emerging threats to the credibility of the 2027 elections.
He disclosed that the commission had created an AI-focused unit responsible for developing protocols for the responsible use of technology and combating false information capable of weakening public confidence in the electoral process.
Amupitan reiterated INEC’s commitment to neutrality, stressing that the commission would not favour any political party or candidate.
He said the commission’s primary duty was to organise elections that accurately reflect the will of Nigerians, pointing to the recent Osun governorship election as part of its efforts to deliver credible and peaceful polls.
He also acknowledged the need to improve voter participation in subsequent elections.
Speaking on behalf of the IRI delegation, Twining said the organisation’s mission was focused on supporting a competitive, peaceful and credible electoral process in Nigeria.
He said the delegation would examine INEC’s level of preparedness, identify possible challenges and explore ways the international community could assist Nigeria’s democratic development.
“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.”