INEC creates AI division to verify results, curb fake news
The Independent National Electoral Commission has established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division within its Information and Communications Technology Department to strengthen its ability to detect anomalies and counter disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this while presenting an update on the commission’s preparations for the elections at a World Press Conference and National Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja, on Tuesday.
Amupitan stated that automated AI auditing tools had already been integrated into its results verification process.
He said the deployment would operate under a five-pillar AI governance framework, with mandatory human oversight, while the commission’s AI governance policy was being finalised.
“The commission has established a dedicated artificial intelligence division within the ICT department. Automated AI auditing tools have been integrated into our results verification process, under a five-pillar AI governance framework, operating under mandatory human oversight,” Amupitan said.
He added, “An AI governance framework policy is being finalised by the commission. In partnership with international technology leaders and partners, we are integrating our AI-driven anomaly detection tools.”
The INEC chairman expressed the commission’s concern about the growing use of generative AI, voice cloning and deepfake videos to fabricate the voices of election officials, result sheets and other official documents.
He warned that the greater danger was not only that voters could be deceived by fabricated content, but that the proliferation of convincing falsehoods could make Nigerians lose confidence in genuine information released by constitutional authorities.
“The greater danger is not any single falsehood. When deepfakes render lies believable, real truth is treated with scepticism, and cynicism replaces civil engagement,” Amupitan said.
He added that INEC would combine technology with public education and collaboration with the media to tackle the threat, urging journalists to use digital forensic tools and verify election-related information before publication.
Amupitan also cautioned media organisations against publishing privately collated results or premature declarations, stressing that the statutory authority to declare election results rests with the commission.
“Resist the declaration of privately collated results, because under the Electoral Act, the authority to declare results rests exclusively with the Commission,” he said.
Beyond its AI initiative, INEC said it was strengthening its election technology ahead of 2027, including upgrading its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices, conducting nationwide audits and stress tests, and planning a nationwide mock accreditation exercise in November.
The commission also disclosed plans for a situation room to provide real-time monitoring before, during and after the elections, while training and technical support programmes for election personnel will continue into 2027.
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