INEC Collaborates with Tech Giants for 2027 Elections

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, engaged with representatives from Microsoft, Google, and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) to strengthen INEC's technological capacity ahead of the 2027 general elections. These meetings occurred during the Global Conference on Responsible AI and Elections in Ottawa, Canada, from September 9 to 11, 2023.

Amupitan, accompanied by INEC's Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode, met with Microsoft officials Ethan Chumley and Ariana Molina to discuss emerging technologies and cybersecurity. He also spoke with Dr Lisa Poggiali from IFES about the responsible use of AI in election administration.

Additionally, Amupitan met with Google’s David J. Lopez to address technology and AI in electoral processes. INEC stated that these collaborations aim to enhance the security, resilience, transparency, and efficiency of Nigeria’s electoral process in preparation for the upcoming elections.