INEC, stakeholders x-ray role of AI ahead of 2027

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and stakeholders in the technology ecosystem on Thursday examined how Artificial Intelligence (AI) could address electoral challenges, improve the management of election results and strengthen public confidence ahead of the 2027 general election.

They shared their views during a press conference and Ecosystem Round Table on AI for Elections held in Abuja, where Rise Networks launched its AI for Elections initiative to mobilise young Nigerian innovators to develop technology-driven solutions to problems confronting the country’s electoral process.

Speaking at the session, INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Dr Lawrence Bayode, said the question was no longer whether AI had a role to play in elections but how its capabilities could be harnessed without compromising the integrity, transparency and credibility of the electoral process.

ALSO READ: DisCos remitted ₦385.44bn to electricity market in Q2, 2026 — NERC

Bayode disclosed that INEC had established an Artificial Intelligence Division within its ICT Department and was developing a framework to guide the responsible deployment of the technology, building on its September 2025 policy on election technology acquisition and deployment.

He stated that the commission was already exploring applications of AI in voter information services, electoral data management, operational efficiency and the detection of misinformation.

According to him, INEC is deploying AI-powered intelligent document processing in its election result management system to digitise polling-unit result sheets and check for inconsistencies between figures entered electronically into the Data Verification and Authentication System (DIVAS) and those on scanned Form EC8A result sheets before transmission to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

He explained, “Where there is a discrepancy between the electronically entered figures and the scanned result sheet, the discrepancy must be resolved before the result can be uploaded to IReV.”

The director added that the process was designed to reduce human error, improve accuracy and ensure that results published on the portal corresponded with those from polling units.

Addressing concerns about the security implications of deploying AI in elections, Bayode stressed that innovation must not undermine electoral security, operational stability or public confidence, urging innovators to experiment responsibly with publicly available or authorised data without exposing critical election infrastructure or compromising INEC’s statutory responsibilities.

He noted that human oversight, accountability and appropriate safeguards remained essential, while encouraging innovators to develop practical solutions for voter education, accessibility for persons with disabilities, language barriers and information integrity.

The Chief Executive Officer of Rise Networks, Dr Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsuji, giving details of the programme, explained that it was designed to equip young Nigerians with the knowledge and tools to develop home-grown solutions to electoral challenges, while strengthening the country’s capacity to manage its digital environment.

Akerele-Ogunsuji emphasised that Nigeria’s participation in the global technology ecosystem should be guided by knowledge, local capacity and digital sovereignty.

“Nigeria’s data must remain within Nigeria’s jurisdiction, and Nigeria must retain control over its digital environment”, she told the session, adding that solutions developed through the initiative must align with global cybersecurity standards.

Akerele-Ogunsuji said the hackathon would provide an opportunity for innovators to develop practical applications across designated thematic areas, including election observation and citizen accountability, with an additional cross-cutting focus on climate resilience and environmental innovation.

She stressed that participants must use synthetic datasets rather than real electoral data, noting that sample datasets had been prepared and made available to developers working with different programming languages and technologies.

According to her, the initiative also seeks to build a sustainable ecosystem for civic technology through an Elections Development Hub and a Community of Practice, providing platforms for innovators to develop, test and refine solutions, share knowledge and collaborate with electoral institutions, technology companies, civil society and other stakeholders.

Akerele-Ogunsuji called for broad participation across the country, particularly from northern states, stressing that technology innovation should not be dominated by any region or ethnic group. She announced that the first-prize winner would receive a laptop credit worth N4 million from Microsoft, while the second- and third-prize winners would receive N2.5 million and N1.5 million, respectively, alongside other support and special innovation awards from partners.

She said the ultimate goal was to ensure that technology served citizens and strengthened democratic accountability, while maintaining respect for electoral institutions and their infrastructure.

The stakeholders urged young innovators to move beyond technological experimentation and develop secure, practical and sustainable solutions capable of addressing real electoral problems, with Nigerian voters’ confidence and participation remaining central to the country’s democratic process.

Among the stakeholders were Technology Ecosystem Representative, Mrs, Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy,
Anglophone West Africa and Connectivity and Innovation Policy Manager, Africa at META; Tsema Ede, International Human Rights Lawyer; Dr Ayuba Tuodolo; Dr Ifeoma Ilechukwu; Engr. Muhammad Bello Yahaya of Centre for Technology and Development (CITAD), Kano; Mr Lami Sadiq, International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR); Professor Victor Odumuyiwa, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Director, NITHUB (NITDA).