Nigeria's INEC to Audit Systems, Address AI Disinformation Ahead of 2027 Elections

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is undertaking a comprehensive audit of its systems to prevent a recurrence of the technical glitches that marred the 2023 presidential election, ahead of the 2027 general election. The commission also expressed significant concerns regarding disinformation and the potential criminal deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the electoral process.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, conveyed these assurances during a meeting with the United Kingdom High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, and his team in Abuja. Yakubu described the visit as part of an ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and the UK on election and cybersecurity preparedness for 2027. He stated that extensive post-election reviews involving various stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organizations, the media, security agencies, and election observers, have informed INEC's current preparations.

Regarding technological advancements, INEC is focusing on improving its existing platforms rather than a complete overhaul. This includes the rollout of a self-service, online voter registration system designed to eliminate the need for prospective voters to visit registration offices physically. The commission has already completed the first two phases of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and extended the third phase to allow more Nigerians to register, adhering to statutory timelines for voter register publication before elections.

On the security front, INEC has conducted a thorough review of its cybersecurity architecture, data systems, and penetration testing protocols, alongside disaster recovery mechanisms and communication systems. The commission collaborates closely with security agencies at all government levels to safeguard officials, infrastructure, and voters. While acknowledging low public trust, Yakubu expressed confidence that credible elections would help rebuild confidence in the electoral process. He specifically noted the challenge posed by AI-driven disinformation and sought support from partners like the UK to combat this issue.