As elections draw near, a lot is being set in place to ensure that the elections are successful. One such is the recruitment of staff by the electoral commission to oversee some major aspects of the election.
This post contains information on how to become an INEC staff for the 2023 elections, so if you’re interested, keep reading.
INEC is the Election management body (EMB) in Nigeria, commissioned with the mandate to conduct free, fair, and credible elections uninfluenced by parties or government.
In alliance with the system of government practiced in Nigeria —the democratic system— elections play a major role in choosing the leader the people want, and INEC is the body that ensures that this is the case and that no form of malpractice would change the decision collectively made by the people.
Nigerians do not fully trust the independence of INEC as there have been cases of malpractice in several elections across the country, and this has led to apathy on the part of some Nigerians. However, INEC has considered these concerns and is making several changes to ensure the credibility of the elections and the credibility of the body.
What Are The Responsibilities of INEC?
INEC has the following responsibilities, as recorded in the constitution:
- To register voters for elections.
- To certify and register political parties and their candidates for participation in elections.
- To promote good knowledge of sound democratic election processes.
- To conduct voter and civic education.
- To monitor the operation and organization of the political parties, including their conventions, finances, congresses, and party primaries.
- To monitor political campaigns and provide rules and regulations that govern the political parties.
- To delegate any of its powers to any Resident Electoral Commissioners.
- To arrange and conduct the registration of persons qualified to vote.
- To register political parties following the provisions of the Constitution and an act of the National Assembly.
- To prepare, maintain, and revise the register of voters for any election.
- To organize, undertake and supervise all elections to the offices of the President, Vice-President, Governor, Deputy Governor, Senates, House of Representatives, and the House of Assembly of each state of the federation.
- To carry out electoral processes, which include recruitment of officials—usually ad-hoc staff, preparation of ballot boxes, preparation of ballot papers and all other needed materials, preparing a publication of voters to register and candidates for elections, conducting the elections, counting and declaration of election results, and auditing the account of political parties.
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Administrative Structure of INEC
Chairman: A chairman is appointed by the president through nomination and confirmation at the National Assembly. INEC Chairmen are most often University professors in active service. The current chairman of INEC is Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who has been in office since 2016.
One member from each state of the federation, 5 other members appointed on merit, and State Electoral Commissioners
Working with INEC
There are two categories of staff at INEC, namely:
- Permanent Staff: They are public servants by career, employed by INEC, and work all through, whether or not there is an election.
- Ad-hoc Staff (or non-permanent staff): They are usually casually recruited from the civil service or teaching field, and they work only during election season.
After employment, there are a series of training organized by INEC which employees have to attend. Ad-hoc staff, are trained on the roles they will be playing during the election and given a list of things they should and shouldn’t do. They are also trained on what to do in certain situations.
The permanent staff undergoes more organized and coordinated training, including regular seminars, workshops, and symposiums to sharpen their administrative and political skills. The nature of their job and the people they deal with requires INEC staff to be alert physically and mentally.
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Nature of the Job
The job has been described as being for the strong-hearted as it entails pressure, stress, and intimidation and can even be scandalous if care is not taken. Although elections are periodical, the years, whenever they are conducted, are often very intense.
There is pressure from political parties, government officials, and powerful individuals who hold stakes in elections. Politicians as well do everything within their power to ensure that they fulfill their aim, including giving bribery advances to electoral officers, intimidation, maneuvering, and even murder in some cases.
However, if you’re interested in working with INEC, these negative sides shouldn’t scare you but help you prepare. Moreover, every job has its occupational hazard, and yet not every job provides the enormous benefits that working with INEC provides. Some of these benefits are; control, security and the pay is quite handsome.
The pay from INEC for employees differs according to grade level in service. It also depends hugely on the category of work you’re in; that’s either permanent or temporary staff. We have provided a breakdown of the salary range for both ad-hoc and career staff at INEC.
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INEC’s ad-hoc staff Salary structure is as follows:
- Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO); grade level 10 – 14 is between N1, 060, 833 – N2,101,600.
- A Presiding Officer (PO), Grade level 7 – 9, and Registration Area Centre (RAC) manager, Grade; level 7 – 9, fall within the above salary range.
- Registration Area Technical support (RATECH) also falls within the same range.
The salary structure for INEC permanent staff is also as follows;
- School Leavers (GL 04 – 05); N376, 194 to N497, 000
- Diploma Certificate Holders 9GL (06 – 07); N638, 133 – N961, 577
- Graduates (GL 08 – 10); N799, 421 – 1,174,395
- Directors (GL 11 – 14) earn between N1, 503,149 – N2, 101,600.
- Other benefits also apply aside from salary.
INEC has a standard recruitment procedure in which applicants submit their applications through a recruitment portal.
INEC Recruitment Requirements are as follows:
- Applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth.
- Applicants must possess HND, NCE, OND, or Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Sciences, and Humanities from a recognized institution.
- Applicants must possess a minimum of Five Credits in no more than two sittings in West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE), National Examination Council (NECO), and General Certificate of Education (GCE). Credit in English is compulsory.
- Applicants must have the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC Discharge, or Exemption Certificate.
- Applicants must be computer literate.
- Applicants must be certified by Government Medical Officer to be physically and mentally fit for appointment in the Commission.
- Applicants must present a certificate of origin signed by the chairman or Secretary of his Local Government Area.
- Applicants must not be older than 35 years of age.
Must be willing to work in a new environment. - Applicants applying for the experienced hire must not be over 45 years at the time of application.
- Post-qualification cognate experience is an added advantage.
- All candidates must have a valid means of identification such as a valid driver’s license, National Identification Card, International passport, and Voters card.
- Candidates with a bad criminal record will not be accepted.
- Interested candidates must have good communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong team spirit and excellent analytical skills. - Must not have been involved in any criminal activities in the past.
The positions available are;
- Executive Area Registration Officer (I)
- Graduate Registration Officer II (Registration Area Officer)
- Professional Experienced Hire
- Management Consultant.
- How to Get Employment in INEC
The number of applications sent in from across the country is usually so many; as expected, not everyone gets chosen. Here are some tips that will give you a good foot to put forward and increase your chances of being employed:
- Show your passion for the job.
- Provide every information required
- Don’t be in a rush to fill out the form.
- Be among the first 25 applicants because the earlier, the better, so make sure to keep your ears on the ground and check the portal from time to time.
- Concentrate on your application.
- Follow instructions strictly
Also, take note of the following:
- Visit the official recruitment portal at www.inecnigeria.org and complete the prescribed application form free of charge.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for the next phase of the recruitment exercise.
- There will be screening for all shortlisted candidates. The date and time will be communicated to you via E-mail.
- Do not pay anyone who claims he will help you get this job.
- The Independent National Electoral Commission recruitment application form is free.
- Take time to fill out the online application form. You cannot edit your bio-data once submitted.
- You must present a Certificate of State of Origin signed by the Chairman or Secretary of your Local Government at the screening center. A Certificate of endorsement by Liaison Officers is not acceptable.
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Wrap Up
Working as an officer at INEC is one of the most interesting things you can do, and if you can exhibit the values which they uphold, such as; teamwork, equity, impartiality, integrity, autonomy, excellence, dedication, credibility, and transparency, you are sure to excel in the job.
Although Adhoc staff recruitment for the 2023 elections has closed, you should keep your ears on the ground to know when other opportunities will open to submit your application and follow all necessary procedures to be considered for employment. Good luck!
