The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken a step towards the 2027 general elections, launching a strategic workshop aimed at developing a regulatory framework for the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
The three-day workshop, which began on Monday in Lagos, is expected to produce a clear roadmap for deploying emerging technologies to improve transparency, efficiency and public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
In his welcome address, Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Aboyomi Salami, represented by Administrative Secretary Oluyemi Adeyemi-Showunmi, described the initiative as a timely response to rapid global technological change.
He noted that the commission was building on the gains of earlier digital innovations such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), both of which had strengthened transparency and boosted voter confidence in recent elections.
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INEC also used the forum to formalise its push into artificial intelligence.
The commission revealed that, following a meeting held on 22 May 2025, it approved the establishment of a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division within its ICT Department.
Officials said AI would be deployed across several critical areas, including improving logistics for the movement of sensitive materials, enabling data-driven planning to anticipate voter turnout, detecting disinformation and electoral interference, and enhancing voter support services through automated systems.
Prof. Salami said the workshop would help shape a comprehensive framework to guide how AI is governed, ethically applied and integrated into the commission’s operations.
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Despite the promise of AI, INEC officials stressed the need for strong safeguards.
The Director of ICT warned that adopting such advanced technology must be accompanied by strict oversight to address concerns around data protection, accountability and the integrity of information.
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) also backed the initiative.
Its Regional Director, Seray Jah, commended INEC’s forward-looking approach, noting that responsible innovation would be crucial in navigating the fast-changing digital landscape.
The workshop is expected to end with a draft regulatory framework that will guide the commission’s use of AI, ensuring that technological advancement strengthens—rather than undermines—the credibility of Nigeria’s elections.
