2027: INEC turns to AI to check result discrepancies

Ahead of the 2027 general election, Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to detect errors in election result management. This initiative, unveiled at the launch of the AI for Elections Programme and Hackathon in Abuja, aims to minimize human errors, boost operational efficiency, and ensure the accuracy of results published on INEC's portal.

INEC's Director of Information and Communication Technology, Lawrence Bayode, explained that the system cross-references electronically entered figures with paper result sheets and scanned copies before allowing transmission. Discrepancies must be resolved before results can be uploaded. However, the deployment of AI also raises concerns about potential misuse, such as manipulating voters and undermining public trust in the electoral process.

Meta's Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa, Sade Dada, highlighted the growing challenge of AI-generated content, including cloned videos and synthetic voices, which can mislead voters. Nonetheless, Dada emphasized AI's potential to support voter trust through content verification, digital literacy, and multilingual information services.

The AI for Elections Programme, led by Dr. Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, includes a national hackathon, an AI Innovations Development Hub, and a Community of Practice to foster practical solutions for electoral challenges. Applications for the programme opened on October 22, 2026, and will close on November 12, 2026, with a total prize pool of ₦10 million.