The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) plan to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) tools ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections has triggered reactions from political groups, with supporters and critics debating whether the technology will strengthen electoral credibility.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, recently disclosed that the commission had established a dedicated AI division within its Information and Communications Technology Department. The commission has also integrated automated AI auditing tools into its election results verification process.
According to Amupitan, the technology is expected to help identify discrepancies in election results, detect administrative errors and strengthen cybersecurity. INEC is also developing measures to counter AI-generated disinformation, including fabricated videos, cloned voices, fake result sheets and forged official documents.
However, the proposal has faced opposition from groups concerned about transparency and accountability. The Obidient Movement’s National Coordinator, Yunusa Tanko, criticised the plan, arguing that INEC should first address unresolved concerns about result transmission and public confidence in its electoral processes.
“We reject this proposal in its entirety,” Tanko said, demanding clearer explanations of how the technology would operate and what safeguards would prevent its misuse.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress has also questioned the commission’s readiness to manage AI effectively, citing concerns about the accessibility of some electronic election records and the credibility of existing systems. INEC, however, maintains that the technology will complement human oversight rather than replace established verification procedures.
The debate is significant because public confidence in election results remains central to Nigeria’s democratic process. While AI could help detect inconsistencies and combat misinformation, inadequate safeguards or unclear procedures could deepen existing distrust.
INEC says its planned governance framework will emphasise human oversight, transparency, accountability, data protection, cybersecurity and public trust. The commission is expected to provide further details as preparations continue for the 2027 polls.
Nigeria’s next general elections are scheduled to begin in January 2027. The debate over AI highlights the growing role of technology in electoral administration and the need for independent scrutiny, clear rules and public understanding before the tools are fully deployed.
