The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to integrate artificial intelligence into its electoral processes for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The move focuses on verifying election results, detecting anomalies, and strengthening cybersecurity defences against potential intrusions and unauthorised alterations.
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan disclosed the initiative on 6 October 2026 during a World Press Conference and National Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja. The announcement forms part of the commission’s broader preparations for the polls.
INEC has established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division within its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Department. Automated AI auditing tools have already been integrated into the results verification process. These tools are designed to scan election result records for discrepancies, administrative errors, or irregularities before final validation.
The commission is also deploying AI-driven anomaly detection systems in partnership with international technology leaders and partners. These tools will monitor database traffic and help protect INEC’s systems and public-facing portals (including the INEC Result Viewing Portal, or IReV) from cyber intrusions and unauthorised changes.
Amupitan emphasised that the technology will operate under a five-pillar AI governance framework that includes mandatory human oversight. An overarching AI governance framework policy is currently being finalised. “Technology must complement, rather than replace constitutional institutions. AI must strengthen electoral integrity, improve public service, and always remain under human control,” he has stated in related remarks. Every automated check will remain subject to human auditing and legal verification.
Beyond internal system protection, INEC has highlighted the growing risks posed by generative AI tools. These include voice cloning, deepfake videos, and fabricated official documents that could mimic the voices of election officials, forge result sheets, or circulate false announcements about postponements or outcomes. The commission has warned that such content can spread rapidly and erode public confidence not only in false information but also in genuine official communications.
The new AI Division and associated tools are intended to help detect and counter these forms of disinformation alongside traditional cybersecurity measures.
The AI initiative sits within a wider technology upgrade programme. This includes software enhancements and hardening of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, nationwide audits and stress tests, acquisition of additional devices, and plans for a nationwide mock accreditation exercise. INEC has also referenced cryptographic authentication improvements for result sheets uploaded to the IReV portal.
These steps aim to build on lessons from previous elections, where technological challenges and public scrutiny of result transmission featured prominently.
The introduction of AI for result verification and cyber defence reflects INEC’s recognition that electoral integrity now depends as much on the security and trustworthiness of digital systems and the surrounding information environment as on traditional processes such as balloting and physical result collation.
While the commission has stressed human oversight and institutional primacy, successful implementation will depend on transparent deployment, robust testing, stakeholder confidence, and effective safeguards against both technical failures and misuse. Partnerships with technology firms and continued engagement with civil society, political parties, and observers will be important as the 2027 elections approach.
INEC’s AI push represents one of the more significant technological adaptations announced so far in the lead-up to the next general elections. Its effectiveness will ultimately be measured by whether it enhances accuracy, resilience, and public trust in the electoral process.
