Do INEC Accept NYSC Corpers and How Much Do They Pay?

The involvement of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) activities, especially during elections, is a subject of great importance and interest.

The NYSC scheme, which is a one-year mandatory service for graduates in Nigeria, provides a unique opportunity for these young individuals to contribute to the democratic process of their country.

INEC, being the electoral body responsible for organizing and overseeing elections in Nigeria, often requires a large workforce to manage the polling units across the nation.

NYSC members are known to play a significant role in this process, serving as ad-hoc staff during elections. Their duties typically include working as presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, and in other capacities to ensure that the elections are conducted smoothly.

Does INEC Accept NYSC Corpers?

Now, the question arises: Does INEC accept NYSC members as part of its workforce? The answer is a resounding yes. NYSC members are actively involved in election duties and are considered a crucial part of the electoral process.

Their participation not only helps INEC in conducting free and fair elections but also provides the corps members with a sense of involvement in national development.

Regarding remuneration, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the NYSC, pays a monthly stipend of N33,000 to every serving youth corps member. This allowance is meant to support the corpers throughout their service year.

However, when these corps members are engaged in INEC duties, they are entitled to additional allowances. The exact amount can vary based on the state and the specific responsibilities assigned to them.

For instance, some states provide an additional state allowance on top of the federal government’s monthly stipend. This state allowance differs from one state to another, with some states being more generous than others.

For example, Anambra State pays a monthly sum of N8,000 to corps members serving in towns and N8,500 to those in rural areas, while Lagos State currently holds the record for the highest paying state with a monthly allowance of N15,000.

Furthermore, the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved an upward review of the feeding allowance for NYSC members, which is a separate provision from the monthly stipend.

This increase is a testament to the government’s recognition of the vital role that corps members play during their service year, including their participation in INEC’s activities.

It is also worth noting that the payment dates for NYSC allowances are scheduled from the 20th of every month until the end of the month. Delays may occur, but the system is designed to ensure that corps members receive their allowances in a timely manner.

How Much Does INEC Pay Corpers For Governorship Election

For governorship elections, INEC pays corp members a total of N17,500.00 as Election Duty Allowance. This amount is divided into four components:

• Training Allowance: A sum of N4,500.00 is provided to corps members after they have completed the necessary training and certification required for deployment on the eve of the election.
• Transport Allowance: An additional N3,000.00 is paid on the night preceding the election to cover transport expenses.
• Feeding Allowance: Corp members receive N1,000.00 on the night preceding the election to cater to their feeding needs during their electoral duties.
• Honorarium: The final component of N9,000.00 is paid immediately after the election as an honorarium for their service.

It’s important to note that different states may have varying allowances for governorship elections. For instance, Akwa Ibom State pays corp members N10,000.00 along with a training allowance of N4,500.00. Additionally, some corp members in Plateau State have reported receiving N17,500.00 in certain Local Government Areas (LGAs).

How Much Does INEC Pay Corpers For Presidential Election

For presidential elections, INEC pays corp members participating as ad-hoc staff a total of N30,500.00. This amount encompasses training allowance, transport allowance, and refreshment allowance during the three-day training period. The breakdown is as follows:

• Training Allowance: N4,500.00 covers transportation and refreshment expenses during the training, which takes place two weeks before the election.
• Deployment Allowance: After training, corp members receive N13,000.00, which includes transport, feeding, and an honorarium of N9,000.00 and N4,000.00 for the election day.
• For the presidential election, INEC pays a separate N17,500.00 to each member.
• Some corpers receive as much as N50,000–N75,000 in some LGAs across the country.

In summary, the election payment for Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers is as follows:

• Honoraria: N7,000.00
• Feeding Allowance: N1,000.00 per day
• Transport Allowance: N3,000.00
• Total: N11,000.00

The honoraria is a lump sum payment that is made to election officers for their services on Election Day. The feeding allowance is a daily payment that is made to cover the cost of meals for election officers. The transport allowance is a payment that is made to cover the cost of transportation to and from the polling station.

The election payment is made to election officers who are deployed to polling stations on Election Day. The payment is made after the election has been completed and the results have been announced.

The training allowance for Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers is N3,000.00 per day. The feeding allowance is N1,500.00 per day. The total amount of the training payment is N4,500.00.

Here is a breakdown of the training payment for election officers:

• Training Allowance: N3,000.00 per day
• Feeding Allowance: N1,500.00 per day
• Total: N4,500.00

The training payment is made to election officers who attend the mandatory training sessions organized by INEC. The training sessions cover a variety of topics, including the electoral process, the use of voting machines, and security procedures.

Roles of NYSC Members During Elections

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members play a pivotal role in the electoral process in Nigeria, contributing significantly to the success and integrity of elections.

Their involvement is rooted in the broad objective of the NYSC scheme, which aims at ensuring the equitable distribution of service corps members and the effective utilization of their skills in areas of national need.

During elections, NYSC members are deployed across the nation to serve in various capacities, ensuring that the electoral process runs smoothly. Here are some of the specific roles they fulfill:

1. Voter Education: Before the elections, NYSC members are often involved in educating voters on the electoral process. This includes informing them about their rights as voters, how to properly cast their votes, and the importance of participating in the elections.
2. Registration of Voters: NYSC members assist in the registration process of voters, ensuring that eligible citizens are able to register and receive their voter cards, which are essential for participating in the elections.
3. Display of Voters Register: After the registration process, the voters’ register is displayed for public scrutiny. NYSC members help in this process by managing the display and assisting voters in verifying their details.
4. Election Day Duties: On the day of the election, NYSC members take on critical roles such as:
   • Presiding Officers: They oversee the polling units, ensure that voting procedures are followed, and manage the polling staff.
   • Assistant Presiding Officers: They assist the presiding officers in their duties and help manage the voting process.
   • Counting Votes: After the polls close, NYSC members are responsible for counting the votes and ensuring that the count is accurate.
   • Recording Results: They record the election results from their polling units and prepare the results for transmission to the collation centers.
5. Transmission of Results: NYSC members are involved in taking the results from the polling units to the collation centers. This is a crucial step in the electoral process as it involves the secure and accurate transfer of election results.
6. Collation Officers: Some NYSC members may serve as collation officers, where they are responsible for collating results from various polling units and preparing the overall results for the constituency.

The engagement of NYSC members in these roles is not only a testament to their reliability and integrity but also reflects the trust placed in them by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigerian populace.

Their active participation in the electoral process serves as a valuable contribution to the democratic governance of Nigeria and provides them with a unique opportunity to be part of the nation’s political process.

By fulfilling these roles, NYSC members gain practical experience in leadership, management, and civic responsibilities, which are beneficial for their personal development and future endeavors.Their service during elections is a commendable example of youth involvement in national development and the strengthening of democratic institutions in Nigeria.

In conclusion, NYSC members are indeed accepted by INEC to serve as ad-hoc staff during elections, and they are compensated for their service. This collaboration between INEC and NYSC not only facilitates the electoral process but also enriches the service experience of the corps members, providing them with a unique opportunity to contribute to the governance and democracy of Nigeria. The allowances they receive serve as an incentive and support for their commendable dedication and work.