INEC express fears over AI-powered disinformation affecting 2027 elections

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joah Amupitan, has warned that artificial intelligence-driven disinformation poses a serious threat to the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan disclosed this while speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, September 2.

He stated that generative AI had made the production of fake videos, audio recordings and images cheaper and increasingly difficult to detect.

He cited cases of manipulated political content circulated during recent elections in West and East Africa, including doctored materials linked to Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.

He warned that such materials could reach millions of social media users before fact-checkers can verify them.

 He said the threat goes beyond outright fabrication, noting that algorithmic micro-targeting could allow different and sometimes contradictory messages to be delivered to specific segments of the electorate without a common factual basis.

He acknowledged that the 2023 general election showed that such technology could become a source of public doubt when it underperforms.

“Legitimacy is earned only when systems perform reliably, are well understood, and are explained honestly when they fall short,” he said.

Prof. Amupitan disclosed that INEC is undertaking a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology systems, covering system redundancy, penetration testing and disaster recovery planning.

He added that the Commission is also exploring the conduct of a mock presidential election ahead of 2027 to test accreditation, transmission and results viewing under conditions similar to election day.