The Independent National Electoral Commission has raised concerns that the growing use of artificial intelligence to create and spread false information could pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, warned that AI-driven disinformation could undermine confidence in the electoral process if emerging digital threats are not properly identified and tackled ahead of the polls.

Amupitan’s warning was contained in a statement delivered on his behalf by INEC National Commissioner, Professor Sani Muhammad Adam, at the 13th Annual International Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria in Abuja.

The conference, which focused on media, technology and elections in Africa, examined how rapid developments in artificial intelligence and digital platforms are changing electoral communication and creating new challenges for democracy.

According to INEC, the danger is no longer limited to conventional misinformation. Artificial intelligence can be used to create highly convincing fake photographs, videos, audio recordings and other materials capable of making false information appear genuine.

The commission therefore stressed the need for electoral technology and communication to be treated as interconnected aspects of election management rather than separate issues.

INEC plans technology audit, mock election

As part of its preparations, INEC said it is carrying out a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology infrastructure to identify weaknesses and strengthen the systems that will be deployed during the 2027 elections.

The commission is also assessing system redundancy, conducting penetration testing and reviewing disaster-recovery arrangements to ensure that critical electoral systems can withstand technical failures or possible attacks.

INEC is considering a mock presidential election to test its technological readiness before the actual polls. The exercise would provide an opportunity to identify potential problems and make corrections before election day.

The commission has previously announced plans for a nationwide mock accreditation exercise in November 2026 to test the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and other electoral equipment.

The exercise is expected to help INEC assess the performance of its technology under conditions similar to those that could arise during the 2027 elections.

INEC has also established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Unit as part of efforts to explore responsible uses of AI in areas including data management, voter registration and results transmission, while developing safeguards against its misuse.

The commission said its experience from the 2023 elections demonstrated that technology can improve electoral transparency but cannot, on its own, guarantee public confidence.

Systems such as BVAS and the INEC Result Viewing Portal helped strengthen aspects of the electoral process, but INEC noted that reliable technology must be supported by timely, accurate and effective communication.

The commission is therefore developing a rapid-response digital communication strategy designed to enable it to detect, verify and respond to false information in real time.

The strategy is expected to involve closer cooperation with communication scholars, universities, media organisations, fact-checkers, technology companies and civil society groups.

Growing concern over AI and elections

The warning comes at a time when political activities ahead of the 2027 elections are already gathering momentum, increasing the likelihood of intense competition and greater activity across social media platforms.

AI-generated content could make it easier for individuals or political actors to impersonate candidates, manipulate speeches, fabricate statements or circulate misleading materials designed to influence voters.

The National Orientation Agency has also warned that AI-generated misinformation and manipulated digital content could erode public confidence in the electoral process if Nigerians are unable to distinguish authentic information from fabricated material.

Stakeholders at the conference called for stronger fact-checking systems, AI-content detection tools, responsible political communication and improved media literacy among voters.

The Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria also advocated an integrated electoral information integrity framework involving INEC, political parties, media organisations, technology companies, civil society and academic institutions.

The aim is to ensure that Nigerians have access to reliable information throughout the electoral cycle and that false claims can be identified and challenged quickly.

The 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State House of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.

With less than five months to the first round of the elections, INEC’s latest warning highlights a challenge that could become increasingly important as artificial intelligence becomes more accessible.

Beyond securing voting technology, the commission now faces the task of protecting the information environment in which voters make electoral decisions.

For INEC, ensuring credible elections in 2027 will therefore require not only reliable voting and result-transmission systems but also the ability to respond quickly to increasingly sophisticated forms of digital manipulation.

The commission is urging stakeholders and the public to remain vigilant, verify political information before sharing it and work collectively to prevent artificial intelligence from becoming a tool for undermining confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.