The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has opened recruitment for ad-hoc staff ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, marking a key phase in preparations for the off-cycle poll.
The commission announced on Sunday that applications are now being accepted for several temporary election roles needed for the conduct of the vote across the state.
Positions listed include Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs), Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers (POs/APOs), Registration Area Centre (RAC) Managers, and RATECH personnel, who typically provide technical support during elections.
INEC said the application window officially opened on Saturday, April 25, 2026, and will close on Sunday, May 18, 2026, urging qualified Nigerians to apply within the stated period.
The recruitment exercise is part of the commission’s standard operational planning process, as thousands of temporary personnel are usually required to manage polling units, logistics centres, accreditation systems and result procedures on election day.
For the position of Supervisory Presiding Officer, INEC said applicants must be public or civil servants on Grade Levels 10 to 14, or eligible Registration Area Officers and INEC staff within the same grade range who are not assigned to other duties.
Applicants for the role of RAC Manager must be heads of schools or staff members on Grade Level 07 and above working in schools, institutions or public buildings designated to host Registration Area Centres.
For Presiding Officer and Assistant Presiding Officer positions, the commission said eligibility extends to serving National Youth Service Corps members, penultimate students of federal or state tertiary institutions with knowledge of information technology, permanent staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies holding OND qualifications or serving on Grade Levels 07 to 10, as well as INEC permanent staff on Grade Levels 07 and 08.
INEC also said former corps members who completed service recently may apply, provided they fall within the accepted service years listed by the commission.
For RATECH positions, the electoral body said applicants must have an information technology background. The category is also open to suitable INEC ICT personnel at state or headquarters level who are not already deployed to other responsibilities.
The commission emphasized that all applicants must be politically neutral. It said no applicant must be a member of any political party or have publicly demonstrated support for any political party or candidate.
INEC further stated that applicants are expected to reside in the state where they intend to serve, except in the case of RATECH personnel, whose deployment may differ due to technical needs.
Returning applicants who have previously worked in election roles were advised to register under the category that matches their current qualifications and employment status.
The Ekiti governorship election is one of Nigeria’s off-cycle state polls and is expected to draw significant political attention. Incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress is seeking re-election.
With the recruitment process now underway, INEC is expected to continue other preparations including logistics planning, voter education, stakeholder engagement and deployment of election materials ahead of the June contest.
