INEC WARNS AGAINST ALLOWING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO DETERMINE 2027 ELECTION RESULTS

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned against allowing artificial intelligence and automated algorithms to determine the outcome of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The commission’s position comes amid growing concern about the potential influence of artificial intelligence on political campaigns, the spread of misinformation and the information available to voters. INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan reportedly delivered the warning at the Artificial Intelligence and Democracy Forum 2026 in Abuja on October 14, he stressed that while technology could influence several aspects of election administration, the authority to choose political leaders must remain with the electorate. The remarks have renewed attention on how Nigeria can benefit from technological innovation without compromising the integrity of its democratic process. Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in areas such as data analysis, content creation, communication and automated decision-making. In an election environment, these tools can be used to analyse voter behaviour, distribute campaign messages, create political content and influence the information people encounter online. They can also support administrative activities when properly designed and supervised. However, the same technologies can be misused to produce misleading information, impersonate public figures and distribute fabricated images, audio or video. INEC has acknowledged that artificial intelligence could significantly affect the information environment in which voters make decisions, the commission’s concern is that technological tools must not be allowed to undermine human judgment, democratic institutions or the right of citizens to make their own electoral choices. Nigeria’s next general elections are expected to attract intense political competition. As parties, candidates and supporters expand their online activities, digital platforms are likely to remain important channels for political communication. Artificial intelligence could make it easier to produce campaign materials quickly and reach large audiences. At the same time, the technology could make it more difficult for voters to distinguish authentic information from manipulated content. For example, a fabricated video appearing to show a candidate making a controversial statement could spread widely before it is verified. Similarly, false claims about polling procedures or electoral results could create confusion if they are not addressed promptly, these risks make public awareness, independent verification and responsible political communication increasingly important. The debate is not necessarily about rejecting artificial intelligence altogether. Instead, it concerns how the technology should be used and what safeguards are needed to prevent abuse. Technology can support election logistics, information management and communication, but electoral decisions must remain subject to the law and established democratic procedures, clear accountability is particularly important when automated systems are used in processes that affect citizens’ rights. Voters also need access to reliable information about registration, polling arrangements and official election announcements. INEC’s warning reinforces the need for the commission, political parties, technology companies, civil society groups and the media to address emerging digital risks. Political parties should ensure that digital campaign materials are not used to deliberately mislead voters, media organisations should independently verify suspicious audio, video and claims before publishing them. Voters should also be cautious about sharing dramatic political content simply because it appears convincing or confirms their existing beliefs, where a claim concerns an election procedure or official result, the relevant electoral authority should be consulted.Social media users should remember that a widely shared post is not necessarily accurate. The credibility of an election depends on several factors, including transparent procedures, accurate voter information, effective logistics, security and public confidence in the electoral authority, Artificial intelligence introduces additional challenges, but it does not eliminate the importance of these established responsibilities. As preparations for the 2027 elections continue, the challenge will be to make appropriate use of technology while ensuring that it does not replace democratic accountability, for Nigerian voters, the central message is straightforward: technology may influence political communication, but electoral legitimacy must come from a credible process and the freely expressed choices of citizens.