INEC CHAIRMAN URGES WEST AFRICAN ELECTORAL BODIES TO SAFEGUARD AI USE AS ECONEC ADOPTS NEW GUIDELINES
Oru Leonard
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has called on electoral management bodies across West Africa to embrace the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), stressing the need for strong cybersecurity measures to protect electoral systems and sustain public confidence.
Amupitan made the call on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at INEC headquarters in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC), led by Mr. Serigne Ka, Head of the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division and Permanent Secretary of ECONEC.
The visit followed a two-day validation meeting in Abuja on ECONEC’s guidelines for the application of AI in electoral processes. The guidelines were developed by a working group established after the network’s symposium on AI and election integrity, held in Dakar, Senegal, in November 2025.
The INEC chairman said electoral bodies must recognise that AI has become an integral part of modern technology and focus on establishing the safeguards necessary to prevent its misuse.
According to him, although concerns remain about the risks associated with AI, electoral institutions cannot afford to ignore its growing influence on election administration.
He explained that responsible adoption of the technology must be accompanied by adequate cybersecurity skills and protective measures to prevent electoral systems and personal devices from being exploited.
Amupitan particularly emphasised the need to protect young people and other vulnerable users against the potential dangers of AI-enabled technologies.
He also identified voter registration as one of the areas where AI could improve electoral administration, noting that the technology could support public engagement by providing timely responses to citizens’ enquiries.
The INEC chairman said AI-powered platforms could help electoral commissions provide frequently requested information more efficiently, thereby improving communication with voters and strengthening trust in the electoral process.
He described public confidence as a critical element of credible elections, stressing that technology must be deployed in ways that promote transparency, accessibility and accountability.
Amupitan noted that the adoption of the guidelines was timely as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
He stated that the presidential and National Assembly elections were scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections would take place on February 16, 2027.
He added that INEC’s preparations were guided by the Electoral Act 2026, enacted in February, alongside the regulations and guidelines issued by the Commission.
Beyond AI adoption, Amupitan called for stronger collaboration among electoral commissions in West Africa, particularly in electronic transmission of election results, records management, logistics and election planning.
He identified risk assessment, personnel training and peer learning as additional areas where regional electoral bodies could exchange expertise and strengthen their institutional capacity.
The chairman also advocated preventive regulations for political parties to promote compliance and minimise electoral disputes.
He urged ECONEC member commissions to deepen cooperation on responsible media engagement and electoral security, while ensuring that election processes remained inclusive, particularly for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
Amupitan further stressed the importance of institutionalising post-election reviews and conducting follow-up missions to ensure that recommendations were prioritised, implementation monitored and technical assistance provided where necessary.
He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to working with ECONEC and other regional partners to improve electoral administration and strengthen democratic institutions.
The chairman expressed optimism that the engagement would produce practical outcomes capable of advancing democratic governance across West Africa.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Serigne Ka, said the visit was part of ECONEC’s efforts to translate discussions on AI and election integrity into practical guidelines for electoral management bodies across the sub-region.
Ka explained that the network’s November 2025 symposium in Dakar focused on the implications of AI for election integrity and the need for a coordinated regional response.
He said participants at the symposium agreed to establish a working group to develop guidelines for the responsible application of AI in electoral processes.
The group subsequently held working sessions and prepared a draft document, which was presented for validation during the two-day meeting in Abuja.
According to him, the delegation included Information Technology experts because of the technical issues associated with AI deployment in election management.
Ka acknowledged Nigeria’s existing efforts in the area, noting that the country already had a unit working on AI. He said sharing practical experiences among electoral commissions would be essential to developing effective implementation strategies.
He confirmed that the guidelines had been adopted, adding that the next phase would focus on how member commissions could apply them within their respective electoral systems.
The ECONEC official maintained that AI had become an enduring feature of modern society, making it necessary for electoral institutions to develop appropriate mechanisms for managing its opportunities and risks.
He also conveyed the apologies of ECONEC Chairman and Chairman of Senegal’s electoral commission, Mr. Abdoulaye Sylla, who was unable to attend the meeting due to indisposition.
Ka thanked Amupitan and other INEC officials for receiving the delegation and called for broader international support to facilitate the implementation of the guidelines.
The adoption of the guidelines is expected to provide a framework for ECONEC member commissions to approach AI in electoral administration more responsibly, while addressing concerns about cybersecurity, election integrity and public trust.
