The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to deploy approximately 1.4 million ad hoc personnel for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the International Republican Institute (IRI), led by its President, Dan Twining, as part of the institute’s pre-election assessment mission.

The IRI delegation is in Nigeria from August 11 to 21 to assess INEC’s level of preparedness for the 2027 polls and identify areas where international collaboration and technical assistance could strengthen the electoral process.

Amupitan said the ad hoc personnel would be deployed across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide.

He added that the commission was strengthening its logistics operations, expanding early deployment strategies and improving coordination with transport unions to facilitate the timely movement of election materials and personnel.

The INEC chairman described the IRI mission as timely, coming shortly after the Osun governorship election and ahead of the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general elections.

According to him, recent off-cycle elections and legislative by-elections had provided valuable opportunities for the commission to test its electoral technology, logistics and security arrangements.

Amupitan said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) had recorded high levels of operational reliability, with result-upload rates exceeding 98 per cent in recent elections.

He further disclosed that INEC was implementing reforms to improve voter registration through online registration, continuous updates to the voters’ register and measures to enhance the accuracy of voter records.

The commission, he added, would expand measures aimed at making elections more accessible to persons with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers and elderly voters.

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

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

Reiterating the commission’s neutrality, Amupitan said INEC had no preferred political party or candidate and would remain committed to conducting elections that reflect the will of Nigerians.

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

Speaking on the IRI mission, Twining said the delegation was focused on supporting a competitive, peaceful and credible electoral process in Nigeria.

He said the team would assess INEC’s preparations, identify potential challenges and explore ways the international community could support 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.”