INEC, ECOWAS Electoral Chiefs Adopt AI Guidelines Ahead Of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections

 

The adoption of the AI guidelines comes as concerns grow over the impact of emerging technologies on election integrity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) have adopted new guidelines for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in electoral processes across West Africa, particularly for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The adoption of the AI guidelines comes as concerns grow over the impact of emerging technologies on election integrity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The guidelines were validated at a two-day meeting in Nigeria attended by electoral officials and information technology experts from across the West African sub-region.

The initiative followed the establishment of a working group at an ECONEC symposium on artificial intelligence and election integrity held in Dakar, Senegal, in November 2025.

The framework is intended to guide electoral commissions on the responsible application of AI in election administration, although its practical impact will depend on how member countries implement and enforce the recommendations.

Speaking during a visit by the ECONEC delegation to INEC, the organisation’s Permanent Secretary and Head of the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division, Serigne Ka, said the guidelines were developed in response to the growing influence of AI on electoral processes.

Ka explained that participants at the November 2025 symposium had recommended the establishment of a working group to develop a common regional framework for managing the technology in elections.

According to him, the group subsequently held several working sessions before producing a draft document that was presented for validation and eventual adoption.

“AI is here to stay. There is no way we can do away with AI anymore,” Ka said, stressing that electoral management bodies must determine how best to deploy and regulate the technology within their respective electoral systems.

He said the next phase would focus on implementing the guidelines across the sub-region, with electoral commissions expected to exchange practical experiences and develop approaches suited to their individual electoral environments.

Ka also commended INEC for hosting the delegation, noting that Nigeria’s experience and existing work on AI could provide opportunities for regional knowledge-sharing and cooperation.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), said regional cooperation remained important in strengthening electoral institutions and promoting credible elections across West Africa, particularly as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan noted that electoral commissions in the region faced similar legal, institutional, political and operational challenges, including the deployment of electoral technology, results management, voter education, electoral security and the resolution of election-related disputes.

He described ECONEC as a platform for electoral management bodies to exchange experiences, address shared problems and develop practical solutions to improve democratic governance.

“No electoral commission has a monopoly on knowledge or experience. We all have valuable lessons to share and much to learn from one another,” the INEC boss said.

The INEC chairman said preparations for the 2027 elections required institutional readiness, legal certainty, transparency and effective coordination among electoral stakeholders.

He listed the commission’s priorities as maintaining an accurate and reliable voters’ register, ensuring the timely procurement and testing of election materials and technology, and training competent and impartial electoral personnel.

Amupitan added that INEC was strengthening engagement with political parties, civil society organisations, the media, security agencies and other stakeholders to address concerns and promote transparent communication throughout the electoral process.

The INEC chairman also emphasised the need to intensify voter and civic education to improve public understanding of electoral procedures, encourage peaceful participation and ensure that grievances are addressed through lawful channels.

The adoption of the AI guidelines comes as electoral bodies, including INEC, face the challenge of managing the growing use of digital technologies in political communication and election administration.

Artificial intelligence can support certain administrative functions, but it can also be used to produce fabricated images, manipulated audio recordings, deepfake videos and misleading political content capable of confusing voters and undermining public confidence in electoral institutions.

The technology also raises questions about transparency, accountability, data protection and the safeguards required when automated systems are used in processes that affect voters and electoral outcomes.

For Nigeria, the implementation of the new regional framework will be particularly significant as INEC prepares for the 2027 general elections, when public scrutiny of the commission’s procedures, technology and management of election results is expected to remain intense.

However, the adoption of guidelines alone does not guarantee credible elections.

Their effectiveness will depend on clear implementation measures, adequate technical capacity, transparency and accountability, as well as the willingness of electoral authorities to address complaints and demonstrate that electoral procedures are being followed.

INEC and ECONEC are expected to move into the implementation phase, with member commissions sharing experiences and adapting the framework to their respective electoral systems.

The extent to which the guidelines will strengthen election integrity across West Africa will ultimately depend on how effectively they are translated into enforceable safeguards and practical measures before, during and after elections.

SOURCE: SAHARA REPORTERS