The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced its 2026 recruitment exercise, calling on qualified Nigerians to apply for entry-level vacancies across Grade Levels 07, 08, 09, 10 and 12.

The Commission announced that its online application portal became accessible on Monday, July 20, and will remain open until Monday, July 27. It said the recruitment is part of efforts to strengthen its workforce in key areas such as electoral administration, voter registration, election logistics and data management.

According to INEC, applications are to be completed through its dedicated recruitment portal, where candidates are expected to create an account, fill out the application form and upload all required credentials.

The commission stated that the recruitment process is free and cautioned applicants against providing false information or submitting forged documents, warning that such acts would lead to disqualification and possible legal action.

INEC said vacancies are available under three categories.

For the Professional Cadre on Grade Levels 09, 10 and 12, openings exist for accountants, clinical officers, lawyers, ICT officers, engineers and quantity surveyors. Applicants are expected to possess at least a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline, while some positions may require a master’s degree. Professional certifications relevant to each field, including those issued by recognised regulatory bodies, at least two years of post-qualification experience and an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate are also required.

The commission also announced vacancies for the position of Administrative Officer II (Registration Area Officer) on Grade Level 08. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree, Higher National Diploma or an equivalent qualification in the Social Sciences, Humanities or Sciences, in addition to an NYSC discharge, exemption or exclusion certificate. Applicants are also expected to demonstrate competence in data management, record keeping and the use of Microsoft Office and other ICT applications.

For the Executive Officer (Registration Officer) position on Grade Level 07, INEC said applicants must possess a National Certificate in Education (NCE) or its equivalent, alongside basic computer knowledge and good communication, organisational and data-handling skills.

The commission outlined additional conditions for all applicants, including possession of a valid certificate of state of origin endorsed by the chairman or secretary of their local government, certification of physical and mental fitness by a government medical officer, and a maximum age of 35 years at the time of application.

Applicants must also have no criminal record, be willing to work in any part of the country, and demonstrate integrity, discipline and commitment to public service.

INEC advised interested candidates to register on its recruitment portal using their personal details, email address and National Identification Number (NIN), verify their email address, select their preferred vacancy and upload the required documents.

The required documents include a passport photograph, birth certificate or declaration of age, O’Level result, degree, HND, ND or NCE certificate as applicable, local government identification certificate and NYSC certificate where required.

The commission added that applicants would not be allowed to change their selected vacancy after submission and noted that only shortlisted candidates would proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.