The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is strengthening its grassroots structure ahead of the 2027 general elections, with plans to establish 13-man executive teams in every polling unit across the country.

Anambra Central Senator, Victor Umeh, disclosed this on Friday while appearing on Arise Television’s Morning Show, explaining that the move is part of the party’s preparations to establish a strong presence at polling units and protect its votes during the election.

According to Umeh, the 13-member structure, known as the Polling Booth Executives, is provided for in the NDC constitution and is currently being developed across the country.

He said the members would be dedicated to election-related duties at their respective polling units, adding that the structure would also help the party build a strong network of polling agents ahead of the 2027 elections.

Umeh explained that the party’s strategy goes beyond having candidates for major positions, stressing that candidates contesting elections in different constituencies would help the NDC maintain a presence down to the polling-unit level.

He said the NDC had already fielded candidates for all elective positions being contested in the 2027 general elections across the country.

According to the senator, the presence of candidates in different constituencies would make it possible for the party to mobilise agents who would represent its interests at polling units.

He noted that where a party has no candidate contesting in a particular constituency, its presence at the polling unit could be significantly limited, whereas candidates can mobilise supporters and agents to monitor the electoral process.

Umeh said the NDC was satisfied with the progress made in its preparations, particularly its ability to field candidates across the country.

He added that the party had already begun putting measures in place to ensure that its votes would be properly protected when Nigerians go to the polls in 2027.

The senator stressed that the 13-man polling-unit structure would provide the party with enough personnel to produce polling agents who can represent the NDC during the election.

He said the party was aware of the importance of having agents in polling units across Nigeria and was therefore building the necessary grassroots structure well ahead of the elections.

The development comes as political parties intensify their preparations for the 2027 general elections, with parties increasingly focusing on grassroots mobilisation, candidate selection and strategies for protecting votes on election day.

Umeh maintained that the NDC’s nationwide structure would help strengthen its presence at the grassroots and improve its readiness for the 2027 electoral contest.