INEC Chairman Advocates for Responsible AI in Elections

On September 10, 2026, Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), addressed the Global Conference on Responsible AI and Elections in Ottawa, Canada. He asserted that the effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in elections hinges more on robust institutions and governance than on technological sophistication.

Amupitan highlighted Nigeria's commitment to enhancing electoral credibility through technology, mentioning tools like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). He noted the scale of Nigeria's elections, with over 93 million registered voters and approximately 185,000 BVAS devices deployed.

He stressed that AI should bolster electoral integrity and remain under human control, cautioning against adopting technology for its own sake. Amupitan outlined the legal framework for technology in elections, including the Electoral Act 2026 and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

He mentioned INEC's ongoing development of an AI Roadmap and Governance Framework, emphasizing the importance of institutional readiness for responsible AI.