The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Nigeria's electoral processes following its regular weekly meeting held on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
In a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC revealed it has been collaborating with electoral bodies across Africa to explore the potential impact of AI on elections.
The Commission identified several potential applications for AI in the electoral process, including data-driven decision-making, risk detection and mitigation, enhanced voter services automation, and geo-spatial intelligence to optimize logistics for material distribution and polling unit allocation.
"Consequently, the Commission approved the creation of an Artificial Intelligence Division under the ICT Department to continue to harness the positive aspects of AI and mitigate its negative impact on elections," the statement read.
According to INEC, the new AI Division will enable better coordination and maximization of existing technology investments through centralized AI governance. It will also enhance decision-making through data-driven insights, improve risk management, and boost voter engagement.
The electoral body further emphasized that the initiative places INEC "in the forefront of institutionalizing AI capabilities" within its ICT infrastructure, describing it as "an important step in our ongoing reform of the electoral process in areas that only require administrative action by the Commission."
This development comes as part of INEC's broader efforts to modernize Nigeria's electoral system and address challenges that have plagued previous elections. The integration of AI technologies could potentially enhance transparency, efficiency, and credibility in future elections, including the upcoming gubernatorial contests.
The Commission's move aligns with global trends in electoral management, where advanced technologies are increasingly being deployed to improve various aspects of the electoral process while safeguarding against potential risks and vulnerabilities.
