The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to detect discrepancies in election results ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, in a move aimed at improving accuracy, transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.
The commission disclosed the development during the launch of the AI for Elections Programme and Hackathon organised by Rise Networks in Abuja on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Lawrence Bayode, explained that the proposed system would compare figures entered electronically with those recorded on paper result sheets and their scanned copies before permitting the results to be uploaded.
According to Bayode, where discrepancies are detected, the system would require the inconsistencies to be resolved before transmission could proceed. He said the approach was designed to minimise human errors and ensure that figures published on INEC’s results portal correspond with those recorded at polling units.
INEC Emphasises Accuracy and Electoral Integrity
Bayode said the commission was exploring practical applications of AI to strengthen election management while ensuring that appropriate safeguards were in place.
He cautioned that technological innovation must not compromise electoral security, operational stability or public trust. He also urged technology developers to rely on publicly available or properly authorised data without exposing critical electoral infrastructure to security risks.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts by INEC to strengthen its technological capacity ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly in the areas of result verification, cybersecurity and the detection of irregularities.
Experts Warn Against AI-Generated Election Disinformation
At the event, Meta’s Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa, Sade Dada, warned that increasingly sophisticated AI tools were making it more difficult for Nigerians to distinguish genuine information from manipulated content.
She identified cloned videos and artificially generated voices as emerging threats capable of spreading misinformation and undermining confidence in electoral institutions.
Dada, however, noted that AI could also help tackle the problem through content verification, digital literacy programmes and multilingual information services.
She explained that technology could help voters access reliable information about voter registration, polling units and electoral procedures in languages they understand.
Dada also highlighted GovGuide Nigeria, an AI-powered chatbot developed through a partnership involving Meta, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, and Publica AI. The platform provides government-related information in English, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.
₦10m Prize for AI Election Innovation Challenge
The convener of the programme, Dr Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, said the initiative was designed to transform discussions about artificial intelligence into practical solutions to Nigeria’s electoral challenges.
She explained that the programme builds on Run-Am, an AI-powered application developed to detect misinformation and fact-check content during the 2023 general elections.
The initiative will feature a national hackathon, an AI Innovations Development Hub and a Community of Practice to support the development of promising technological solutions beyond the competition.
Participants are expected to develop functional innovations in areas including electoral information, election data analysis, multilingual civic technology, cybersecurity, election observation and citizen accountability.
Applications opened on October 22 and are scheduled to close on November 12, 2026. Eligible Nigerians aged 18 and above may apply individually or in teams of up to four members.
The organisers announced a total prize pool of ₦10 million, comprising ₦4 million for the winner, ₦2.5 million for the runner-up and ₦1.5 million for third place. Four additional special awards of ₦500,000 each will also be presented.
Technology and Public Trust in 2027
With preparations for the 2027 general elections gathering momentum, the proposed use of AI reflects growing efforts to address errors, misinformation and other challenges associated with election administration.
However, the effectiveness of the technology will depend on its implementation, transparency and the safeguards put in place to ensure that electoral officials retain responsibility for decisions.
For INEC, the central challenge will be to demonstrate that AI can improve the accuracy of results without introducing new vulnerabilities or weakening public confidence.
