INEC Chairman Amupitan: AI Must Not Decide 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could influence voter decisions in the 2027 general elections but must not dictate the election outcome. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made this declaration on Wednesday in Abuja during the AI and Democracy Forum 2026, organized by Yiaga Africa in partnership with INEC and other stakeholders.

Amupitan emphasized that the decision must remain with the Nigerian people, not algorithms. He acknowledged the dual nature of AI, presenting both opportunities and threats to the electoral process, and highlighted the need for electoral authorities to safeguard voters' rights and election credibility.

INEC is developing AI-powered systems to detect irregularities in voting patterns and has established a dedicated AI unit within its Information and Communication Technology department. Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, cautioned that technology alone does not ensure credible elections, stressing the importance of integrity among those managing the technology.