The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is deploying artificial intelligence to strengthen election result verification, detect anomalies and improve cybersecurity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The commission is also establishing a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division within its ICT Department as part of a broader strategy to integrate emerging technology into electoral administration.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, said the commission’s adoption of AI would remain under human oversight, stressing that technology would support rather than replace electoral institutions.
AI to detect anomalies
According to the commission, AI-driven anomaly detection tools will monitor database traffic and help protect public portals against cyber intrusions and unauthorised alterations.
AI auditing tools are also being incorporated into the verification of election results.
INEC is developing an enhanced results-transmission system that will verify and cryptographically authenticate polling-unit result sheets before they are uploaded to the commission’s public results portal.
The commission has also acquired 57,000 additional BVAS devices ahead of the 2027 elections.
Human oversight remains central
Amupitan had previously warned that AI must strengthen electoral integrity and remain under human control.
INEC has identified human oversight, transparency, accountability, data protection, cybersecurity and public trust as key principles guiding its AI initiatives.
The commission is also developing an AI governance framework and building the technical capacity of its personnel.
The increasing use of AI in Nigeria’s electoral system comes as the commission prepares for a major election involving more than 103 million registered voters.
INEC is expected to continue expanding its use of technology while maintaining safeguards against misinformation, cyber threats and the misuse of artificial intelligence during the electoral process.
