Section 27
Appointment of other officers for the conduct of registration of voters and elections(1) The Commission shall for the purpose of an election or under this Act, appoint and designate such officers as may be required provided that no person who is a member of a political party or who has openly expressed support for any candidate shall be so appointed.
(2) The officers appointed under subsection (1) shall perform such functions and discharge such duties as may be specified by the Commission, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, and shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority other than the Commission in the performance of their functions and discharge of their duties.
(3)
Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law and for purpose of securing the vote, the Commission
shall be responsible for requesting for the deployment of relevant security personnel necessary for
elections or registration of voters and shall assign them in the manner determined by the Commission in
consultation with the relevant security agencies:
Provided that the Commission shall only request for the deployment of the Nigerian Armed Forces for the
purpose of securing the distribution and delivery of election materials and protection of election
officials.
This section gives INEC the power to engage Election Officials who are expected to maintain impartiality in actions, good public conduct, and who must not be affiliated to any political party.
Note: Section 158 of the Constitution provides that INEC shall not be subject to the direction or control of any authority or person. This language is reinforced in subsection (2) which provides that the commission’s staff shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority.
INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022, Para. 45
