The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on its Public Affairs Officers (PAOs) to enhance their skills in information management and responsible use of technology. This is to combat Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated misinformation on the 2027 general elections. The commission made this call during a capacity building workshop for PAOs in Abuja. The workshop, themed “Strengthening PAOs Capacity for Credible, Verified and Responsible Election Communication Towards 2027,” was organised by the INEC Voter Education and Publicity Department.
National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Haruna, declared the workshop open. He emphasized that skills in communication management and verification are crucial to the success of the 2027 elections. Haruna noted that election credibility no longer depends solely on ballot papers, Bimodal Voter Verification System (BVAS) machines, and result sheets. He stated that the information environment in which voters form their judgments also plays a significant role.
Haruna highlighted the risks associated with generative AI, which has made it cheaper and harder to detect manipulated audio, video, and images. He warned that its misuse extends beyond fabricated content to highly targeted messaging that can feed conflicting narratives to different groups of voters. The National Commissioner stressed that the commission is preparing for the 2027 General Elections, a period during which the volume, speed, and accuracy of information about the commission and the electoral process will increase considerably.
Describing PAOs as the frontline communicators of INEC in the states, Haruna said the workshop aimed to build the officers’ capacity, sharpen their skills, and prepare them to meet the demands ahead with confidence. He noted that public affairs work within an electoral management body carries particular demands, including the need for accuracy, speed, and sound judgment under pressure, all within an environment increasingly shaped by social media and generative artificial intelligence.
The workshop covered core areas of PAOs’ responsibilities, including managing the information ecosystem, identifying, verifying, and responding to misinformation and disinformation. Participants were also introduced to the responsible use of artificial intelligence in their work, an area that holds promise for improving communication but requires care, verification, and safeguards. Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victorial Eta-Messi, noted that the workshop came at a defining moment for PAOs as INEC prepares for the 2027 elections.
Eta-Messi stated that PAOs serve as the primary bridge between INEC, the media, and the general public in their respective states. She emphasized that it is through them that Nigerians form much of their impression of INEC, its values, and the reliability of its information. The Director urged participants to take advantage of the workshop, which she described as the beginning of sustained engagement to equip them for the responsibilities ahead.
Eta-Messi added that the communication responsibilities placed on INEC and the environment within which they discharge them continue to evolve rapidly. She noted that INEC operates under constant public scrutiny and is regularly confronted with attempts to misrepresent its work and undermine public confidence in it. Therefore, it is essential that their communication personnel are continually equipped to meet that reality.
Key points
- INEC tasks public affairs officers on skills to tackle AI-generated misinformation on the 2027 general elections.
- The workshop aimed to build the officers’ capacity, sharpen their skills, and prepare them to meet the demands ahead with confidence.
- PAOs serve as the primary bridge between INEC, the media, and the general public in their respective states.
