The Independent National Electoral Commission is deploying artificial intelligence to curb errors in election result management ahead of the 2027 general election, as experts warn that the technology could also be exploited to manipulate voters and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to use AI to combat misinformation, expand access to reliable electoral information and strengthen cybersecurity, although experts warn that the technology could also be used to manipulate voters and erode public trust in elections.
This was disclosed on Thursday at the launch of the AI for Elections Programme and Hackathon organised by Rise Networks in Abuja, where INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Lawrence Bayode, said the commission was exploring practical uses of AI while putting safeguards in place to ensure its responsible deployment.
Explaining how the technology would work in the result management system, he said, “The system checks whether the figures entered electronically match those on the paper result sheets and scanned copies before transmission is allowed. If discrepancies exist, they must be resolved before the results can be uploaded.”
Bayode said the initiative would help minimise human errors, enhance operational efficiency and ensure that figures published on INEC’s portal correspond with results recorded at polling units.
He cautioned, however, that technological advancement must not undermine electoral security, operational stability or public trust, urging developers to use publicly available or duly authorised data without compromising critical electoral infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Meta’s Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa, Sade Dada, said the increasing sophistication of AI-generated content was making it harder for people to distinguish authentic information from manipulated content.
“Elections are decided by voters. Voters make decisions based on what they believe, and what they believe depends on what they can trust,” Dada said.
She identified cloned videos and synthetic voices as growing threats, noting that relatively simple tools now allow individuals to produce misleading content on a large scale.
However, Dada said AI could also help address the challenge through content verification, digital literacy initiatives and multilingual information services.
She explained that Meta labels AI-generated content and requires advertisers to disclose the use of AI to significantly alter political advertisements, adding that the company’s technologies could help develop tools to identify manipulated images and videos.
Citing a local initiative, she said Meta had partnered with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and Publica AI to launch GovGuide Nigeria, an AI-powered chatbot that provides government information in English, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.
Dada said similar tools could enable voters to access reliable information on voter registration, polling units and electoral procedures in languages they understand.
The convener of the programme, Dr Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, said the initiative aims to translate discussions about AI into practical technological solutions to address electoral challenges ahead of the 2027 general election.
Akerele-Ogunsiji said the programme builds on Run-Am, an AI-powered application developed to detect misinformation and fact-check content during the 2023 elections.
According to her, the initiative will feature a national hackathon, an AI Innovations Development Hub and a Community of Practice to nurture promising solutions beyond the competition.
Its focus areas include access to credible electoral information, election data analysis, inclusive and multilingual civic technology, cybersecurity and resilience, as well as election observation and citizen accountability.
Akerele-Ogunsiji said participants must develop functional solutions rather than submit ideas or presentations alone. She added that applications were open to eligible Nigerians aged 18 and above.
The application period opened on Thursday, October 22, and will close on November 12, 2026. Participants may apply individually or in teams of up to four members.
The organisers announced a total prize pool of ₦10m, with ₦4m for the overall winner, ₦2.5m for the runner-up and ₦1.5m for third place. Four additional special awards of ₦500,000 each will also be presented.