The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) data-auditing tools and advanced cyber-defence systems in partnership with global technology giants, Google and Microsoft, to protect Nigeria's electoral database from cyberattacks. This move aims to strengthen the integrity of the 2027 elections. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this information at the 10th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) in Lagos.
Amupitan emphasized that the commission is committed to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. He stated that INEC had embarked on major technological, structural, and logistical reforms to strengthen the integrity of the elections. The deployment of AI and advanced cyber-security infrastructure is aimed at protecting INEC's databases against cyber intrusions, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and unauthorized data injection.
The INEC Chairman also announced that the commission will dismiss and prosecute electoral officials found engaging in partisan activities, administrative carelessness, or other ethical compromises during the elections. Every electoral official is required to take a binding oath of loyalty and absolute neutrality under Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2026. Amupitan stressed that officials who compromise the process will face immediate consequences.
INEC has also upgraded the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) with hardware optimization, extended battery calibration, and software hardening to strengthen facial and fingerprint accreditation and prevent voter impersonation and bypass attempts. The commission has commenced a nationwide BVAS audit to ensure that the devices are functional and ready for deployment. Additional BVAS devices have also been procured based on operational requirements.
Amupitan disclosed that INEC has strengthened its electronic result-transmission infrastructure through an enhanced eEC8A protocol. The system digitizes polling unit result sheets immediately after counting, with the scanned Form EC8A cryptographically signed and transmitted simultaneously to the public result-viewing portal. This system provides end-to-end result visibility and reduces opportunities for manual alteration at intermediate collation points.
The commission is also working on completing the generation of the official PDF Register of Voters for nationwide display, alongside final synchronization of CVR data through the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) to eliminate duplicate registrations. Amupitan appealed to online publishers to use their platforms to educate registered voters and direct them to designated Local Government offices and Registration Area centers for collection.
INEC has procured and commenced distribution of new operational pick-up vehicles to state offices and LGAs to address transportation challenges in difficult terrains, riverine communities, and remote border settlements. The commission has also commenced procurement of non-sensitive electoral materials to all 36 State Offices and the FCT, providing sufficient time for batching, inventory auditing, and distribution to the 774 LGAs ahead of the polls.
Key points
- INEC partners with Google and Microsoft to deploy AI data-auditing tools and advanced cyber-defence systems.
- The commission will dismiss and prosecute electoral officials found engaging in partisan activities or other ethical compromises.
- INEC upgrades BVAS and strengthens electronic result-transmission infrastructure to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
