The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the creation of an Artificial Intelligence Division under its ICT Department. This move aims to harness AI’s benefits while reducing its negative impact on elections.
INEC’s decision places it at the forefront of institutionalizing AI within its ICT infrastructure. The commission believes AI can improve election management, voter engagement, and logistical planning.
A statement by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed the approval. He said the decision was made during INEC’s weekly meeting in Abuja, where officials discussed AI’s growing relevance in elections worldwide.
AI’s Potential Benefits for Elections
INEC has attended several conferences with electoral bodies across Africa to study AI’s impact on elections. These discussions focused on AI’s ability to combat misinformation, improve data-driven decision-making, and enhance voter services automation.
The new AI Division will help INEC optimize logistics, ensuring better material distribution and polling unit allocation. It will also strengthen electoral credibility through predictive analytics, automation, and intelligent safeguards.
INEC believes AI can improve transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s electoral process. The commission stated that centralizing AI governance will allow better coordination of existing technology investments.
Olumekun explained that the AI Division will enhance decision-making through data-driven insights, risk management, and voter engagement. He described the initiative as a significant step in INEC’s ongoing electoral reforms.
With the 2027 elections approaching, INEC aims to integrate AI into its operations to improve efficiency and credibility. The commission hopes this initiative will modernize Nigeria’s electoral system and ensure fairer elections.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment, share this article and Follow us on our social media handles.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
