Nigeria’s electoral commission plans to use AI in 2027 election
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Leadership
Nigeria’s electoral commission chairman, Joash Amupitan, plans to use artificial intelligence for some internal operations and anomaly detection ahead of the 2027 general election. In this opinion piece published by Leadership, the author also calls on candidates to explain how they will protect voters from digital manipulation and make concrete commitments.
Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) plans to use artificial intelligence tools in the 2027 general election. The technologies will support its internal operations, anomaly detection and the protection of its systems from digital threats, its chairman, Joash Amupitan, said in an opinion piece published by Leadership.
Amupitan nevertheless said that algorithms would not decide the election result. The opinion piece warns of the risks of manipulating voters through AI-powered campaigns, including fake videos, cloned voices and fabricated statements attributed to candidates.
Misleading content has already circulated in Nigeria, including fake newspaper front pages and a false claim that INEC had changed the 2027 election timetable. The opinion piece also cites the use of old videos or edited photographs to create a false impression of a political statement or endorsement.
The 2027 general election is described as a defining vote for Nigerian democracy. Mike Igini, a former Nigerian electoral official has also emphasised the importance of the event.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
