INEC Recruitment 2025/2026

Table of Contents

Overview

INEC Recruitment 2025/2026: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is one of Nigeria’s most important federal institutions. Its primary mandate is to organize, supervise, and ensure credible elections at all levels of government. Every election cycle, INEC recruits both permanent and ad-hoc staff to help manage the electoral process.

For thousands of Nigerians, INEC recruitment represents more than just a job; it is an opportunity to serve the nation, protect democracy, and gain valuable experience. Permanent roles provide long-term career growth, while ad-hoc positions allow students, graduates, and professionals to contribute during election periods.

This article provides a full guide on the INEC recruitment process for 2025/2026, including eligibility, requirements, how to apply, and the current status of the portal.

Status

At the moment, the INEC recruitment portal is not currently open. This means applications are not being received at this time.

However, recruitment is a regular process for INEC, especially in preparation for national and state elections. Interested applicants are advised to monitor the official website for announcements. Once recruitment opens, the portal will go live and detailed guidelines will be published.

Official Portal:
https://www.inecnigeria.org/

Eligible States

INEC recruitment is nationwide. Applicants are drawn from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Each state commission manages postings within its jurisdiction, ensuring that successful candidates work in areas familiar to them.

Eligible states include:

Abia	Adamawa	Akwa Ibom
Anambra	Bauchi	Bayelsa
Benue	Borno	Cross River
Delta	Ebonyi	Edo
Ekiti	Enugu	Gombe
Imo	Jigawa	Kaduna
Kano	Katsina	Kebbi
Kogi	Kwara	Lagos
Nasarawa	Niger	Ogun
Ondo	Osun	Oyo
Plateau	Rivers	Sokoto
Taraba	Yobe	Zamfara and FCT

Available Vacancies

INEC recruitment typically covers two broad categories:

Permanent Positions
These are long-term roles that support the commission’s day-to-day operations. Positions may include:
- Administrative officers
- Registration area officers
- ICT staff
- Legal officers
- Human resources staff
- Finance and accounting staff
- Public affairs officers
Ad-hoc Positions
These are temporary roles recruited specifically for election periods. They include:
- Presiding Officers (PO)
- Assistant Presiding Officers (APO I, II, and III)
- Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPO)
- Registration Area Center Managers (RAC Managers)
- Collation/Returning Officers
- Registration Area Technicians (RATECHs)

Requirements

Applicants must meet certain criteria before they can be considered for INEC recruitment. General requirements include:

Must be a Nigerian citizen by birth.
Must present a valid means of identification (NIN, voter’s card, driver’s license, or passport).
Must be at least 18 years old.
Permanent staff positions generally require a degree or HND in a relevant field plus NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.
Ad-hoc roles may require ND, NCE, or even SSCE/WAEC, depending on the position.
Applicants must be medically fit and free of disabilities that hinder performance.
Must not be a member of any political party or group that could compromise neutrality.
Must be resident in the state or local government where they intend to serve (especially for ad-hoc staff).

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How to Apply

When the recruitment portal opens, the application process will follow these steps:

Visit the Portal
Go to the official INEC careers page through: https://www.inecnigeria.org/.
Create an Account
Provide an active email address and phone number to set up a profile.
Select a Role
Choose from the available categories (permanent or ad-hoc positions).
Complete the Form
Fill in personal, educational, and professional details carefully.
Upload Documents
Attach scanned copies of your certificates, identification, and passport photo.
Submit
Review your form and submit. Print out the acknowledgement slip for reference.
Wait for Shortlisting
INEC will publish the names of shortlisted candidates and contact them via email or SMS for further screening.

Recruitment Process

The recruitment journey typically includes:

Application Stage – Submission of online form.
Shortlisting – INEC screens applications based on eligibility.
Assessment/Interview – Permanent staff may sit for exams or attend interviews.
Training – Ad-hoc staff undergo orientation and training before deployment.
Posting – Successful candidates are assigned roles within their state of residence.

Deadline

Since the recruitment is not ongoing, no deadline has been announced yet. Once the application window opens, INEC usually provides a timeline of about two to four weeks for submission.

Important Notes

INEC recruitment is free of charge. Never pay anyone for forms or assistance.
Multiple applications may lead to disqualification. Apply only once per cycle.
Ensure your details are accurate; false information leads to automatic rejection.
Always monitor the official INEC website for verified updates.

Why Join INEC?

Working with INEC provides opportunities beyond just employment. Benefits include:

A chance to serve your nation and strengthen democratic governance.
Exposure to real-time electoral processes and decision-making.
Skill development in administration, ICT, logistics, and conflict management.
Opportunities for career growth and permanent employment (for exceptional ad-hoc staff who later qualify for permanent roles).
Job satisfaction from contributing to a transparent and fair election system.

Final Status Note

To be clear, the INEC recruitment 2025/2026 is not ongoing at the moment. The official portal remains the only valid source for updates: https://www.inecnigeria.org/. Applicants are encouraged to prepare their documents, update their CVs, and stay alert for announcements. Once the next window opens, early application gives a stronger chance of success.

INEC Recruitment 2025/2026 Application Guide | Everything You Should Know