INEC To Deploy AI To Bolster Electoral Integrity, Innovation

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the creation of a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division under its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department.

The decision was taken at the Commission’s weekly meeting held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, as part of a broader strategy to harness the power of AI for improved electoral management and credibility, including mitigating its negative effects on elections.

According to a press release signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the initiative was a response to the growing relevance of artificial intelligence in global and national elections.

“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.

INEC’s decision followed a series of international conferences attended by the Commission, where electoral bodies across Africa discussed both the risks and opportunities presented by AI in the electoral process. Concerns raised included the use of AI to spread fake news and manipulate digital content. However, participants also recognised the immense potential of AI for improving electoral operations.

The newly established AI Division is expected to advance INEC’s capabilities in several critical areas, including data-driven decision-making, risk detection and mitigation, voter services automation, and geo-spatial intelligence for logistics planning and polling unit distribution.

“This initiative puts the Commission in the forefront of institutionalising AI capabilities within our ICT infrastructure,” Olumekun stated, adding that it marks “an important step in our ongoing reform of the electoral process in areas that only require administrative action by the Commission.”

By creating a centralised AI governance structure, INEC aims to enhance decision-making, improve voter engagement, and strengthen electoral credibility through automation, predictive analytics, and intelligent safeguards.