The Independent National Electoral Commission has commenced the recruitment of ad hoc staff for the 2026 Osun State governorship election, inviting qualified Nigerians to apply for various election duties.

In a notice issued on Monday, the commission said applications are open for Supervisory Presiding Officers, Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers, Registration Area Technical Support Staff and Registration Area Centre Managers.

INEC stated, “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) invites applications from suitable, qualified and interested candidates for engagement as Ad-hoc Staff for the conduct of the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election.”

According to the commission, the INECPRES portal is designated for the registration of eligible ad hoc staff for the election.

The commission said the online application portal opened on June 27 and will close automatically at midnight on July 18.

For the position of Supervisory Presiding Officer, INEC said eligible applicants include officers on Grade Levels 12 to 14 in the Federal Public Service and Ministries, Departments and Agencies, with priority given to qualified staff of the National Youth Service Corps, National Orientation Agency, National Identity Management Commission and National Population Commission. Eligible INEC staff on Grade Levels 8 to 14 who are not assigned other election duties may also apply.

It added that serving corps members, former corps members who completed their national service between 2024 and 2026, penultimate-year students of federal tertiary institutions, and permanent federal MDA staff on Grade Levels 7 to 10 with OND or NCE qualifications are eligible to serve as Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers.

The commission said Registration Area Centre Managers would be drawn from heads of schools or staff members of institutions hosting Registration Area Centres, while Registration Area Technical Support Staff would be selected from suitable ICT personnel within INEC who are not assigned other election responsibilities.

INEC, however, warned prospective applicants against partisan political activities.

It said, “Applicants must not be a member of any Political Party.”

The commission added, “Applicants must not have demonstrated or expressed support for any candidate or party.”

On the application timeline, INEC stated, “The portal (INECPRES) opened on Saturday, 27th June, 2026 and will shut down automatically on Saturday, 18th July, 2026 by 12 midnight.”

Interested applicants were advised to complete their registration through the INECPRES portal before the deadline, as late applications would not be accepted.

Osun State governorship election is scheduled to hold on August 15, 2026. (The PUNCH)

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