The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns over the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on Nigeria's 2027 general elections. According to INEC, AI-generated fake videos, images, and voice notes could threaten the credibility of the elections. The commission warned that AI can be used to send targeted political messages that spread different narratives to different groups of voters.
INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna addressed participants at a capacity-building workshop for Public Affairs Officers (PAOs) in Abuja. Haruna stated that AI has made it easier for people to create fake videos, edited images, and cloned voice recordings that appear real. He emphasized that generative AI has made it cheaper and considerably harder to detect manipulated audio, video, and images.
The workshop, themed "Strengthening PAOs Capacity for Credible, Verified and Responsible Election Communication Towards 2027," aimed to prepare INEC's communication officers for the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation. INEC's Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, highlighted the crucial role of Public Affairs Officers in shaping Nigerians' perception of INEC.
Eta-Messi noted that Nigerians often judge INEC through the information shared by its communication officers. She admitted that INEC regularly faces attempts to spread false information capable of damaging public confidence in the commission. The current workshop is only the beginning, with more training programs planned ahead of the 2027 elections.
INEC has started training its Public Affairs Officers on verification, fact-checking, and responsible election communication. The commission plans to tackle misinformation and disinformation through capacity-building programs. Deputy Director of Information and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, stated that participants would learn how to improve communication across different INEC offices.
Ifogah mentioned that the officers will receive practical training on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in communication work, including its practical applications, limitations, and safeguards required around confidentiality and verification. The warning comes as AI-generated content, including deepfake videos, cloned voices, and manipulated images, continues to become more common globally.
Experts warn that such technology could play a bigger role in future elections if not properly monitored. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, had called for electoral technology and electoral communication to be treated as a single discipline. Haruna described INEC's Public Affairs Officers as the commission's first line of communication across the country, emphasizing the credibility of INEC's communication.
Key points
- INEC warns of AI-generated fake content threatening the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
- The commission has started training Public Affairs Officers on verification, fact-checking, and responsible election communication.
- More capacity-building programs are planned ahead of the 2027 elections to tackle misinformation and disinformation.
