The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that the misuse of artificial intelligence could create competing and contradictory narratives among Nigerian voters ahead of the 2027 general elections, potentially complicating efforts to maintain trust in the electoral process.
The commission said the rapid development of generative AI had made it cheaper and increasingly difficult to identify manipulated audio, videos and images, while enabling the production of targeted messages aimed at different groups of voters.
National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, raised the concern on Monday in Abuja while declaring open a capacity-building workshop for the commission’s Public Affairs Officers (PAOs) from across the country.
Haruna said the challenge was no longer limited to fabricated photographs, videos or audio recordings, but also involved the ability to deploy different narratives to different audiences.
According to him, such technology could make it increasingly difficult for voters to establish which information is authentic, particularly during an election period when political claims and counterclaims are widespread.
He linked the concern to an earlier submission by INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, at the 13th Annual International Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria.
Haruna said Amupitan had argued that the credibility of elections could no longer be viewed solely through the traditional components of the electoral process, such as ballot papers, BVAS machines and result sheets.
He said the information environment in which voters receive and assess electoral information was equally important, making electoral technology and communication increasingly interconnected.
The workshop, themed “Strengthening PAOs Capacity for Credible, Verified and Responsible Election Communication Towards 2027,” was organised to strengthen the commission’s ability to respond to the changing information environment.
Haruna described Public Affairs Officers as INEC’s frontline communicators at the state level, stressing that the credibility of the commission’s public communication depended significantly on their ability to provide accurate and consistent information.
He said the officers would receive practical training in verification, escalation procedures and clear communication as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
The Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said PAOs play an important role in shaping public understanding of INEC’s activities and the reliability of information released by the commission.
She said INEC operates under constant public scrutiny and faces attempts to misrepresent its activities and undermine public confidence.
Eta-Messi disclosed that the training was part of a broader programme, with additional capacity-building exercises already being planned in collaboration with development partners.
Deputy Director, Information and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, said the training would also address the practical use of AI in communication work.
He said participants would be taught the potential applications and limitations of the technology, as well as safeguards for confidentiality and verification.
The training is also expected to strengthen coordination between Public Affairs Officers, heads of department, the Voter Education and Publicity Department and Resident Electoral Commissioners.
Ifogah said the officers would be trained to improve the consistency of press statements, talking points and social media content, while developing stronger mechanisms for monitoring misinformation and disinformation.
The commission said the initiative was necessary as emerging technologies continue to reshape how voters receive, interpret and share electoral information ahead of the 2027 general elections.
10-word caption: INEC warns AI-driven misinformation could deepen voter confusion ahead of 2027 elections.
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