The INEC Ad-hoc Staff Recruitment 2026 is an official temporary recruitment exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to engage personnel for the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Election scheduled for 21 February 2026. These ad-hoc roles are critical to the conduct of the election and involve frontline election duties across polling units and registration centres.
INEC manages this process through a dedicated online platform — INECPRES — which allows eligible Nigerians to register, apply, and track their application status.
What Is INEC Ad-hoc Staff Recruitment?
INEC Ad-hoc Staff Recruitment is a temporary hiring initiative to enlist eligible Nigerians to serve in specific roles during an election. These roles include supervision of polling units, voter accreditation support, registration centre management, and technical assistance for election systems.
This exercise is separate from full-time employment and focuses exclusively on election operational support for the 2026 FCT Area Council Election.
Official INEC Ad-hoc Staff Recruitment Portal
All applications for the INEC 2026 ad-hoc staff recruitment must be submitted via the official portal:
https://pres.inecnigeria.org
Official Android app version: https://presmobile.inecnigeria.org
INEC has warned the public to avoid fake recruitment sites; only the above links are valid.
Current Application Status
The portal opened for the INEC Ad-hoc Staff Recruitment 2026 on 29 December 2025 and will close on 19 January 2026 at midnight. Applicants are advised to submit before the deadline to avoid issues with high traffic and late submissions.
Available Ad-hoc Positions
INEC is recruiting for the following key ad-hoc positions:
- Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) – oversee polling unit teams.
- Presiding Officers (POs) & Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs) – manage voting processes on election day.
- Registration Area Centre (RAC) Managers – coordinate operations at voter registration centres.
- Registration Area Technical Support (RATECH) – provide IT and technical support for election technology.
Each position has specific eligibility requirements, which are detailed on the portal’s eligibility page.
Eligibility Requirements for INEC Ad-hoc Staff
INEC’s ad-hoc recruitment prioritises integrity, neutrality, and competence. While requirements vary by role, general conditions include:
- Nigerian citizenship.
- Resident of the Federal Capital Territory (where specified).
- Not a member or supporter of any political party, and no demonstrated political bias.
- Education and professional requirements that match the specific role (e.g., IT background for RATECH).
- For SPO and PO/APO roles: serving corps members, former corps members within recent batches, students with IT skills, or staff of MDAs with relevant qualifications.
Required Documents & Information
Before registering, applicants should have:
- A functional email address and mobile phone number.
- A personal bank account number for payment (if applicable).
- A recent passport photograph (white background, not larger than 5MB).
- Contact details of two referees.
- Highest qualification document in PDF.
- Means of identification (driver’s license, National ID, etc.) in JPG/JPEG.
- NYSC call-up number (for corps members).
All submissions must be complete and accurate; edits after submission are generally not permitted.
How to Apply on the INEC Ad-hoc Recruitment Portal
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official portal: Go to pres.inecnigeria.org.
- Register an account: Provide your email, phone number, and create a password.
- Login: Use your credentials to access your application dashboard.
- Fill the application form: Enter personal, educational, and contact information.
- Upload required documents: Attach your photo and qualification documents.
- Submit: Review all entries carefully and click submit.
- Print your acknowledgement slip: Save this for screening and verification stages.
Applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered.
What Happens After Submission
Once the portal closes:
- INEC will shortlist eligible applicants for each ad-hoc role.
- Shortlisted candidates may be invited for pre-election orientation, verification, and training.
- Deployment is usually assigned based on your selected state or area of residence.
Important Scam Alerts
INEC has publicly warned against fake recruitment portals claiming to be for ad-hoc staff positions. These unauthorised sites are designed to collect personal data and mislead applicants. Only the official INECPRES links should be used.
Never submit sensitive details such as BVN, OTPs, or passwords on unofficial sites.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is INEC Ad-hoc Staff Recruitment 2026 open now?
Yes. The application window for the 2026 FCT Area Council Election ad-hoc staff recruitment opened on 29 December 2025 and closes on 19 January 2026.
What is the official INEC ad-hoc recruitment portal?
The official portal is pres.inecnigeria.org and also available via its Android app.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility varies by role but generally includes Nigerian citizens, residents of FCT for specific positions, and those meeting educational and non-partisanship requirements.
Are there application fees?
No. INEC does not charge fees for ad-hoc staff recruitment applications.
Can non-FCT residents apply?
For the FCT Area Council Election ad-hoc positions, only residents of FCT are eligible.
Is training provided for shortlisted candidates?
Yes. Shortlisted applicants typically undergo orientation and briefing before deployment.