INEC RAISES ALARM OVER AI DISINFORMATION AHEAD OF 2027

The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned that artificial intelligence driven disinformation could pose a serious threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, said the growing ability to create and spread misleading digital content makes it increasingly important for electoral technology and communication to be managed together.

Amupitan raised the concern in Abuja at the 13th Annual International Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria. His address was delivered by INEC National Commissioner, Sani Adam.

He said the credibility of elections depended not only on voting and result management systems but also on whether voters could access accurate information and trust what they receive about the electoral process.

As part of preparations for 2027, the commission is conducting a comprehensive audit of its technology systems, including penetration testing, system redundancy and disaster recovery plans.

INEC is also considering a mock presidential election to test voter accreditation, result transmission and result viewing before the actual polls.

The commission plans to strengthen its response to false information by establishing faster mechanisms for correcting misinformation, working more closely with media organisations, fact-checkers and technology platforms, and improving public media literacy.

Amupitan urged journalists, technology experts, academics and other stakeholders to work with INEC to protect public confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 elections.