Experts in artificial intelligence and electoral integrity have backed the use of AI tools to scrutinise Nigeria’s voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying the technology could help detect duplicate registrations and strengthen the credibility of the electoral process.
The experts also warned that artificial intelligence could be exploited to spread election-related misinformation, including fake announcements claiming that voting had been postponed, potentially discouraging eligible voters from participating.
Their recommendations come amid concerns over suspicious photographs and irregularities identified in the preliminary voters’ register released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
INEC’s biometric system has flagged 268 records for further examination over suspected AI-generated photographs and other irregularities. The commission has also acknowledged that some registration officers allegedly used their authorised login credentials to introduce questionable entries into the database.
INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode, said the Automated Biometric Identification System could identify multiple registrations and underage voters, among other irregularities. He explained that the flagged records were undergoing human review as the commission worked to clean up the register.
Bayode, however, clarified that genuine voters whose photographs had merely been enhanced using AI-powered applications would not automatically be excluded. He said the commission was focusing on photographs generated entirely by artificial intelligence.
Meanwhile, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, has defended the use of AI in election management, arguing that the technology could improve voter registration, logistics planning, data analysis and the administration of large databases.
He nevertheless acknowledged the risks posed by generative AI, particularly its potential to produce convincing fake videos, clone public figures’ voices and spread false electoral announcements.
A Professor of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at Babcock University, Oludele Awodele, recommended that INEC adopt watermarking and deepfake detection tools while working with social media platforms to identify and remove misleading content.
Awodele also called for appropriate sanctions against individuals who create, sponsor or circulate deceptive AI-generated material intended to mislead voters.
Similarly, the Acting Director of the Safeguarding Centre at the University of Lagos, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, highlighted the potential use of AI to create sexually explicit deepfakes targeting women candidates. She stressed the need for safeguards to protect women and persons with disabilities before, during and after elections.
Certified information security professional Precious Olives also advocated coordinated early-warning and rapid-response systems involving INEC, civil society organisations and security agencies to identify and debunk false information before it spreads widely.
The experts further recommended stronger content moderation by technology companies, improved access to reliable electoral information and the use of AI tools to monitor public feedback, voter complaints and potential security threats.
The debate comes after AI-generated images circulated during the June 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, falsely portraying electoral scenes, according to fact-checkers.
As preparations for the 2027 elections continue, experts say Nigeria must balance the benefits of AI in electoral administration with measures to prevent misinformation, protect voters and preserve public confidence in the democratic process.
