The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has disclosed that the commission will deploy 1,414,768 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan made this known on Monday during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of the NYSC, OO Nafiu, to the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

He described Corps members as some of the most committed, educated, and patriotic personnel engaged in election duties, noting that their participation at polling units over the years has strengthened public trust and reinforced the neutrality of the electoral process.

The INEC chairman also reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to working closely with the NYSC and security agencies to ensure the safety of Corps members deployed for election assignments across the country.

“We are continually improving our insurance and welfare packages to demonstrate the importance we place on the lives of Corps members serving during elections,” Amupitan said.

Speaking on preparations for the 2027 polls, he stressed the need for full mobilization and readiness of NYSC members to support the successful conduct of the elections.

According to him, INEC will require 707,384 Corps members for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while an additional 707,384 will be deployed for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections slated for February 6, 2027.

“In total, 1,414,768 Corps members will be engaged for both exercises,” he stated.

Amupitan further revealed that in many states, Corps members account for nearly 90 percent of the commission’s Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers, serving in 176,846 polling units nationwide, including remote and difficult terrains.

He commended the performance of NYSC members during the Anambra governorship election and the Federal Capital Territory Area Council polls, particularly for their effective handling of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

The INEC chairman added that the commission would continue to collaborate with the NYSC to ensure proper training and mobilization of ad hoc personnel ahead of the 2026 off-cycle elections and the 2027 general elections.

“Our objective is to deliver a well-organized, peaceful, and credible electoral process through collaboration, dedication, and shared responsibility,” Amupitan said. “We look forward to sustained partnership with the NYSC in making the elections successful.”