…Commission Sets Up AI Division, Integrates Automated Auditing Into Result Verification

Amidat Abdul Fatai

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced plans to deploy artificial intelligence technology to verify election results and strengthen the security of Nigeria’s electoral systems ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press conference on the commission’s preparations for the forthcoming elections.

Amupitan said the commission had established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division within its Information and Communications Technology Department to improve the integrity, security and efficiency of the electoral process.

According to him, automated AI auditing tools have already been integrated into INEC’s result verification process under a five-pillar AI governance framework.

He, however, stressed that the use of artificial intelligence would remain subject to mandatory human oversight.

“Artificial intelligence governance. The commission has established a dedicated artificial intelligence division within the ICT departments,” Amupitan said.

He added, “Automated AI auditing tools have been integrated into our result verification process under a five-pillar AI governance framework operating under mandatory human oversight.

“An AI governance framework policy is being finalised by the commission.”

The INEC chairman further disclosed that the commission was collaborating with international technology companies and other partners to deploy AI-powered anomaly detection systems.

He explained that the technology would monitor database traffic and help protect INEC’s systems against cyberattacks, unauthorised access and alterations to electoral data.

“In partnership with international technology leaders and partners, we’re integrating our AI-driven anomaly detection tools to monitor database traffic and shield our public quarters against cyber intrusions or unauthorised alterations,” he said.

Cybersecurity Concerns

The planned deployment comes as INEC intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections, including a nationwide mock accreditation exercise designed to test its electoral technologies and procedures ahead of the polls.

However, the announcement has generated questions among Nigerians over the precise role artificial intelligence will play in the election and the extent to which it will interact with existing technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and electronic result transmission.

Some Nigerians also raised concerns about how the proposed system would operate in areas where poor network connectivity has previously affected electronic processes and forced reliance on manual procedures.

Reacting to the announcement on X, a user identified as @EyedBluntTruth questioned the specific application of AI in the electoral process.

“AI for what exactly? We listen to these things and just move on. Can he tell us what and in which aspect will this be used?” the user asked.

The user also questioned whether AI would be deployed to address challenges associated with BVAS and manual collation in locations with inadequate network coverage.

“Is it on BVAS that always has issues, or areas where collation and voting will be done manually due to, in their language, no network?” the user asked.

Another user, @Samaila222222, welcomed the development but said INEC needed to provide assurances about the security of the proposed system.

“This is a very good idea, but how can you assure us with the security for the system? We need to know,” the user wrote.

For @BoluAyos, the critical issue was not merely the deployment of AI but the governance, control and independent verification of decisions generated by the technology.

“I wouldn’t judge the system by AI being used. I’d judge it by who controls the AI, what data it sees, what happens when it flags an anomaly, and whether independent observers can audit the process,” the user said.

Similarly, @blackbinbaz cautioned that the reliability of an AI system would ultimately depend on the quality and integrity of the data supplied to it.

“AI is only as reliable as the data fed into it,” the user wrote.

The concerns highlight the growing demand for greater transparency as INEC introduces emerging technologies into Nigeria’s electoral process.