By Our Correspondent, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for stronger cybersecurity safeguards against the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in elections, warning that electoral bodies must adapt to the technology or risk exposing electoral processes and public trust to emerging digital threats ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Amupitan spoke on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a delegation of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC), led by its Permanent Secretary, Mr. Serigne Ka, following a two-day meeting to validate regional guidelines on the use of AI in electoral processes.
He acknowledged concerns about AI’s potential dangers but insisted that electoral institutions must focus on managing its risks rather than avoiding it.
“A lot of people are very sceptical about the use of AI because of the dangers inherent in it,” he said.
“Even if you don’t want to use it, every system you have, even your phone already has AI in it.”
The INEC chairman said electoral bodies must develop the technical expertise and security measures needed to prevent the technology from being exploited, particularly against young people and vulnerable users.
He identified voter registration and public information services as areas where AI could improve electoral administration, including helping commissions respond promptly to citizens’ enquiries through automated answers to frequently asked questions.
Amupitan stressed that such applications must strengthen, not undermine, public confidence in the electoral process.
The ECONEC guidelines were developed following a symposium on AI and election integrity held in Dakar, Senegal, in November 2025. Participants at the symposium agreed to establish a working group to develop a framework for the responsible use of AI in elections.
Ka said the Abuja meeting had validated the guidelines, paving the way for member commissions to consider their implementation across West Africa.
“AI is here to stay anyway. There’s no way we can do away with AI anymore,” he said. “How we are going to manage it, that’s what we are thinking about.”
He said sharing practical experiences and technical expertise would be crucial to helping electoral commissions adapt to the technology while addressing its risks.
Beyond AI, Amupitan called for stronger regional cooperation in electronic transmission of results, records management, election logistics, risk assessment, personnel training and election planning.
He also advocated preventive regulations to improve political party compliance and reduce electoral disputes, alongside stronger electoral security, responsible media engagement and greater inclusion of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
The INEC chairman further urged electoral commissions to institutionalise post-election reviews and follow-up missions to ensure that recommendations were implemented and lessons incorporated into future elections.
Nigeria is preparing for its 2027 general elections under the Electoral Act 2026, with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections for February 16, 2027.
Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to working with ECONEC and other regional partners to strengthen electoral administration, transparency and democratic governance.
Ka also called for international support to ensure the guidelines translate into practical improvements in election management across the sub-region.
 has called for stronger cybersecurity safeguards against the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in elections, warning that electoral bodies must adapt to the technology or risk exposing electoral processes and public trust to emerging digital threats ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.){kind=link}