INEC Chairman Issues 2027 Election Warning Over AI, BVAS and Funding

The Independent National Electoral Commission is considering a major pre-election test of its technology ahead of the 2027 general elections amid concerns over funding and artificial intelligence-driven disinformation.

INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan said the commission was considering a mock presidential election that would test key electoral processes before the general election.

The proposed exercise would cover accreditation, transmission of results and results viewing under conditions designed to closely resemble election day.  

Amupitan said the commission was also conducting preparations for a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology infrastructure.

The audit is expected to cover system redundancy, penetration testing and disaster recovery planning.

According to the INEC chairman, the objective is to understand potential vulnerabilities before they become problems during the election.

However, he disclosed that INEC was still awaiting the full release of funds earmarked for technology and election operations.

The commission had proposed a substantial budget for the 2027 election, including funds for technology and the replacement of accreditation devices lost or damaged during the last electoral cycle.

Amupitan said preparations were continuing despite the funding situation.

INEC’s ICT team has already engaged manufacturers over the procurement of new devices, while preparations for the technology audit and proposed mock election are proceeding.

The commission is also taking lessons from the 2023 general election into account.

Amupitan said BVAS and IReV were introduced to improve transparency and close longstanding credibility gaps but acknowledged that technical difficulties during the 2023 election contributed to public distrust.

He said INEC would therefore take a more rigorous approach to testing its systems ahead of 2027.

At the same time, the chairman warned that the threats facing electoral credibility were no longer confined to technology failures.

He identified generative AI as a growing concern because of its ability to produce convincing fake videos, images and voices.

Amupitan said false information could spread quickly and influence how Nigerians perceive the electoral process.

He therefore called for electoral technology and communication to be treated as interconnected aspects of election security.

INEC is also planning stronger digital monitoring and rapid-response mechanisms that can identify false claims and issue official corrections quickly.

Amupitan said a technically sound election would still require credible communication and public understanding if Nigerians are to trust the outcome of the 2027 polls.