The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has defended the use of artificial intelligence in election management, saying the technology can support democracy while warning about the growing danger of deepfakes and election-related disinformation.
Amupitan spoke on Monday, November 2, 2026, at The Beyond the Ballot Summit in Abuja, where he discussed the opportunities and risks artificial intelligence presents for electoral processes.
“Artificial Intelligence, AI, is not an enemy of democracy,” he said.
The INEC chairman explained that election management bodies worldwide use machine-assisted processes to manage large voter registers, improve logistics and planning, analyse data, and increase administrative efficiency.
He argued that these applications could help electoral institutions handle complex operations more effectively.
However, Amupitan warned that the increasing accessibility of generative AI tools had lowered the technical and financial barriers for people seeking to manipulate information and influence voters.
He raised concerns about cloning public figures’ voices and creating highly realistic videos showing election officials making false announcements.
According to him, such capabilities, which previously required significant technical expertise and resources, are now accessible at relatively low cost.
The warning comes as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections and INEC considers integrating artificial intelligence into aspects of the country’s electoral system.
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The debate over AI in Nigeria’s elections has also intensified following the discovery of questionable photographs, including images suspected to have been generated by AI, in the commission’s preliminary Register of Voters.
INEC has acknowledged the questionable records and said it is investigating and verifying them as part of the process of cleaning up the preliminary register before its final certification.
Amupitan’s remarks highlight two competing implications of AI for elections: its potential to improve voter-data management and administrative planning, and its ability to produce convincing false content that could undermine public confidence in electoral institutions.
As preparations for the 2027 polls continue, election authorities will need to use emerging technology effectively while addressing the risks of impersonation, fabricated announcements, and misleading digital content.
AI Writer
Bio: Joseph Michael is an MBA graduate in Marketing from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and a passionate tech enthusiast. As a professional writer and author at AIbase.ng, he simplifies complex AI concepts, explores digital innovation, and creates practical guides for Nigerian learners and businesses. With a background in marketing and brand communication, Joseph brings clarity, insight, and real-world relevance to every article he writes.