The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that the misuse of artificial intelligence to create and circulate false political content could pose a serious threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, raised the concern while delivering a keynote address at the 13th Annual International Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) in Abuja. He was represented at the event by National Commissioner Sani Adam.

Amupitan said the rapid development of generative AI has made it increasingly cheap and difficult to detect manipulated videos, audio recordings and images.

According to him, the technology could allow fabricated political material to be produced and distributed on a scale that makes timely verification difficult, particularly on social media platforms.

The INEC chairman warned that false content could reach millions of voters before fact-checkers, journalists or electoral authorities are able to establish whether the material is genuine.

AI and the changing electoral information space

INEC's concern extends beyond conventional fake news to sophisticated forms of synthetic media, including AI-generated audio, video and images capable of portraying individuals as saying or doing things they never actually said or did.

Amupitan also identified algorithmic micro-targeting as another potential challenge. He explained that the technology can enable different messages, including contradictory political narratives, to be directed at specific groups of voters.

This could make it increasingly difficult for citizens to operate from a common set of verified facts during an election campaign.

The warning comes amid growing concerns about the use of deepfakes and manipulated political content in Nigeria. Recent reporting has documented the emergence of AI-generated or manipulated political material ahead of the 2027 elections, including fabricated videos and images circulated online.

INEC reviewing election technology

The commission is also reviewing its own electoral technology ahead of the 2027 polls.

Amupitan disclosed that INEC was conducting a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology systems, including system redundancy, penetration testing and disaster-recovery planning.

The commission is also considering conducting a mock presidential election to test systems and procedures under conditions similar to those expected on election day. The proposed exercise would cover areas including voter accreditation, result transmission and result viewing.

The measures are part of broader efforts by the commission to strengthen confidence in the technological components of the electoral process.

BVAS, IReV and public confidence

Amupitan said the credibility of INEC increasingly depends not only on the actual operation of electoral technologies but also on how those systems are understood by voters.

He specifically referenced the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which were introduced to strengthen transparency in voter accreditation and result management.

The INEC chairman acknowledged that the 2023 general elections exposed areas where electoral technology could generate public doubt when systems experienced difficulties or were poorly understood.

He stressed that public confidence would depend on reliable performance, clear communication and transparent explanations when problems occur.

INEC calls for stronger information management

The latest warning builds on previous concerns raised by the commission about misinformation and disinformation.

In February, INEC said elections were no longer contested only at polling units but also in the information space, urging journalists and other stakeholders to promote accurate reporting and counter deliberate distortions of electoral information.

The commission's concerns are also reflected in wider pre-election assessments. The International Republican Institute has called for political parties and candidates to refrain from producing or amplifying manipulated electoral materials and AI-generated impersonations, while urging INEC to strengthen timely and authoritative communication to counter false narratives.

With Nigeria's 2027 general elections approaching, the increasing sophistication of generative AI means election stakeholders will face the dual challenge of detecting fabricated content and ensuring that genuine electoral information can be quickly verified.

For INEC, the challenge will therefore involve not only securing voting and result-transmission systems, but also protecting the information environment in which voters receive and interpret election-related messages.

The commission's warning underscores the growing importance of media literacy, rapid fact-checking, authoritative communication and responsible use of AI as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.