The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concerns about emerging threats to the 2027 elections, including AI-driven disinformation and funding challenges. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, highlighted these issues, sparking a national debate on the credibility of the electoral process. Stakeholders, including politicians and experts, have advised INEC to update its personnel on fresh challenges and proffer solutions to mitigate these threats. The concerns were raised by INEC amidst preparations for the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.
Chief Emeka Kalu, President of ECK Foundation Worldwide and a Labour Party chieftain, has described INEC's concerns as genuine and legitimate. According to Kalu, INEC must be truly independent, transparent, and professionally insulated from partisan influence to effectively confront AI manipulation. He suggested that INEC establish a dedicated AI and misinformation monitoring centre, collaborate with technology platforms and independent fact-checkers, strengthen cybersecurity, and provide rapid official clarification of fabricated content. Kalu emphasized that technology alone cannot guarantee credible elections.
Chief Martin Onovo, a petroleum engineer and 2015 presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), also spoke on the issue. Onovo noted that AI is a threat to almost all human activities, particularly with deep fake documents, audios, and videos. However, he identified the partisan INEC leadership and its officials as the biggest threats to the credibility of the 2027 elections. Onovo alleged that INEC under Joash Amupitan has shown sympathy for the ruling party in appointments, administrative decisions, and INEC processes filed in different courts.
Barrister Olalekan Festus Ojo, a human rights lawyer and promoter of social justice, described INEC's concern about Artificial Intelligence threats as timely and constitutionally significant. Ojo stressed that AI-generated deepfakes, synthetic voter manipulation campaigns, and algorithmic disinformation present unprecedented threats to electoral integrity. He recommended that INEC establish a dedicated AI and Digital Integrity Unit staffed by cybersecurity specialists, data scientists, and electoral law experts to monitor, detect, and counter AI-generated electoral disinformation.
Ojo further suggested that INEC collaborate with the National Information Technology Development Agency, the Nigerian Communications Commission, and major social media platforms to establish real-time AI-generated content detection and removal protocols. He also proposed that the Electoral Act 2026 be amended to specifically criminalize the creation and dissemination of AI-generated disinformation designed to influence electoral outcomes. Additionally, Ojo recommended that INEC invest in a comprehensive public education campaign to equip Nigerian voters with digital literacy skills.
Mr. Celestine Azubuike, a Nigerian administrator and International Law expert, made suggestions on what INEC should do to prevent AI from interfering with the 2027 general elections. Azubuike recommended that the public be communicated on the number of registered voters to detect and prevent fraud. He also suggested that party representatives be allowed to go in with their cell phones to scan and send results to their respective offices on the spot. Azubuike emphasized the need for effective communication and transparency regarding collation and announcement of results.
The debate on INEC's concerns over 2027 poll threats has sparked a national conversation on the credibility of the electoral process. Stakeholders, including politicians and experts, have called for INEC to take proactive measures to mitigate emerging threats. The Commission's efforts to address these challenges will be crucial in ensuring the integrity of the 2027 general elections in Nigeria. META Business Agent also acknowledged the threat of AI to elections, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to address this challenge.
Key points
- INEC has raised concerns about AI-driven disinformation and funding challenges ahead of the 2027 elections.
- Stakeholders have advised INEC to update its personnel on fresh challenges and proffer solutions to mitigate emerging threats.
- Experts have recommended that INEC establish a dedicated AI and Digital Integrity Unit to monitor, detect, and counter AI-generated electoral disinformation.
