…expresses commitment to partnership on electoral technology
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Unit to strengthen the management of electoral data, voter registration and the transmission of results ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Chairman of the Commission, Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, announced this on Friday during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Canadian High Commission, led by the Chargé d’Affaires, Mr David Sproule, to INEC Headquarters in Abuja.
Prof Amupitan said the new unit will explore the responsible application of AI in the electoral process while putting safeguards in place to prevent misuse.
“As technology continues to reshape the global electoral landscape, we recognize the need to harness the power of AI to improve data management, voter registration and results transmission,” he stated.
The INEC Chairman also said the Commission will participate in the Global Conference on Responsible AI and Elections organised by UNDP and Elections Canada in Ottawa from 9 to 11 September 2026. He noted that the conference will provide an opportunity to develop strategies against AI-driven threats such as deepfakes and disinformation.
He appealed to the Canadian High Commission to assist with expedited visa processing for members of the INEC delegation.
Mr Sproule reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic processes.
He said Canada will continue to provide technical assistance and share expertise in areas including electoral participation, women’s inclusion, public awareness and election observation.
“We remain committed to supporting countries seeking to strengthen democratic processes and ensure that elections are free, fair and enjoy the confidence and legitimacy of their citizens,” he said.
Welcoming the delegation, Prof Amupitan described Nigeria-Canada relations as a longstanding partnership anchored on democratic values and good governance. He thanked Canada for its sustained support in electoral governance, civic education, institutional strengthening and gender inclusion.
The Chairman said INEC has continued to use off-cycle elections to test reforms, citing Anambra, FCT Area Council and Ekiti polls. He described the Osun State governorship election of 15 August 2026 as a new benchmark, with 3,556 out of 3,763 polling units, 94.5 per cent, opening by 8:30 a.m., optimal BVAS performance and seamless uploads to the IReV portal.
“We view the success in Osun not as a final destination, but as the gold standard that will guide our preparations for 2027,” he said.
Prof Amupitan disclosed that public campaigns for the 2027 elections began on 19 August 2026, and that INEC participated in the signing of the First National Peace Accord on Issue-Based Campaigns on 18 August.
He outlined five strategic priorities ahead of 2027: consolidating technology, deepening inclusivity for PWDs, women and youth, strengthening institutional capacity, countering misinformation, and conducting a nationwide mock accreditation in November 2026 to test BVAS and other equipment.
The Chairman added that INEC is scaling up for 2027 with about 1.4 million ad-hoc personnel to be deployed across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide.
Reaffirming the Commission’s neutrality, Prof Amupitan assured the international community of INEC’s “absolute independence and unyielding commitment to democratic integrity.”
Both parties expressed commitment to deeper cooperation to ensure the successful conduct of the 2027 general election.
In related news, the INEC Chairman has described the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) as a longstanding partner of the Commission, citing its contributions to electoral reforms, constitutional democracy and good governance.
Amupitan, who spoke on Friday in Abuja while receiving the Foundation’s newly appointed Country Representative, Moritz Sprenker, said future collaboration would focus on civic education, electoral technology, institutional capacity building, countering misinformation and promoting inclusivity in the electoral process.
Responding, Sprenker said KAS, which has operated in Nigeria for over 25 years, remained committed to strengthening its partnership with INEC.
