The Independent National Electoral Commission has created a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division to strengthen the verification of election results and tackle the spread of disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The new division, established under INEC’s Information and Communications Technology Department, will use artificial intelligence tools to identify anomalies and support the commission’s election-monitoring processes.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while briefing journalists and other stakeholders on the commission’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
Amupitan said AI-powered auditing tools had already been incorporated into the process of verifying election results.
He explained that the technology would be governed by a five-pillar framework, with human oversight required in its application. He added that INEC was finalising its AI governance policy.
“The commission has established a dedicated artificial intelligence division within the ICT department. Automated AI auditing tools have been integrated into our results verification process, under a five-pillar AI governance framework, operating under mandatory human oversight,” Amupitan said.
The INEC chairman said the commission was also working with international technology companies and partners to strengthen its AI-based system for detecting irregularities.
“An AI governance framework policy is being finalised by the commission. In partnership with international technology leaders and partners, we are integrating our AI-driven anomaly detection tools,” he added.
Amupitan expressed concern over the growing use of generative AI, voice cloning and deepfake technology to produce fake recordings of election officials as well as fabricated result sheets and other official documents.
He warned that the widespread circulation of convincing fake materials could undermine public trust in genuine information from constitutional institutions.
“The greater danger is not any single falsehood. When deepfakes render lies believable, real truth is treated with scepticism, and cynicism replaces civil engagement,” he said.
To tackle the challenge, Amupitan said INEC would combine technological solutions with voter education and increased collaboration with the media.
He urged journalists to employ digital forensic tools and properly authenticate election-related materials before publishing them.
The INEC chairman also warned media organisations against reporting privately collated results or making premature declarations, stressing that the Electoral Act gives the commission the statutory responsibility to declare election results.
“Resist the declaration of privately collated results, because under the Electoral Act, the authority to declare results rests exclusively with the Commission,” he said.
Meanwhile, the commission said it was upgrading its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices and conducting nationwide audits and stress tests ahead of the polls.
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INEC also plans to conduct a nationwide mock accreditation exercise in November and establish a situation room for real-time monitoring before, during and after the elections.
The commission said training and technical support for election personnel would also continue as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify.
