By Mardiyyah Abubakar
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that artificial intelligence (AI) will not determine the outcome of the 2027 general election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance at the AI and Democracy Forum 2026 in Abuja, stressing that only Nigerians have the right to choose their leaders.
Responding to a question on whether algorithms would decide the 2027 election, Amupitan said, “Algorithms will not and must never decide the 2027 votes.”
He explained that INEC would use AI to improve election logistics and operational efficiency without allowing the technology to replace voters’ decisions.
Amupitan said the commission had tested predictive logistics tools during elections since he assumed office on October 23, 2025. He added that reports from civil society organisations and election observers indicated improvements in the early deployment of election materials and the commencement of voting.
The INEC chairman also disclosed that some technologies used by the commission, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), incorporate AI components.
He explained that facial recognition and fingerprint technologies used for voter accreditation involve AI, adding that the commission was refining its systems to address potential challenges and ensure lawful use.
Amupitan said INEC could not disclose some details of its preparations because of cybersecurity concerns.
On October 6, he announced that the commission had established a dedicated AI division within its Information and Communication Technology Department to support result verification and strengthen cybersecurity ahead of the 2027 elections.
He also said INEC had integrated automated AI auditing tools into its result verification process under a five-pillar AI governance framework that requires human oversight.
According to Amupitan, the commission is finalising an AI governance policy to guide the technology’s use throughout the electoral process.
