The Obidient Movement has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission to explain how its proposed use of Artificial Intelligence will improve the credibility of the 2027 elections, demanding an independent audit of the commission’s electoral technology before the polls.
The movement said it was particularly concerned that INEC was introducing new technology without, in its view, adequately accounting for questions surrounding electronic result transmission during the 2023 presidential election.
In a statement on Tuesday, signed by its Worldwide Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, the movement demanded that INEC publish a comprehensive plan detailing the technologies it intends to deploy, how they will work and the safeguards against manipulation.
The group’s concerns come days after an analysis by Mundx Analytics of 164,659 accessible polling-unit result records from the 2023 presidential election found that 52,947 records carried EMP2920/BVAS camera metadata, while 50,452 carried metadata associated with other identifiable device models. Another 61,260 records had no recoverable camera model.
Mundx, however, cautioned that the presence of another device model does not by itself establish who owned the device, who uploaded the result or whether the metadata had been edited. It said the camera dates were also not authenticated upload timestamps.
The Obidient Movement nevertheless said the findings raised questions that INEC should address before deploying additional technology in 2027.
“The real problem is the apparent collusion between INEC and the APC,” the movement alleged, while accusing the electoral commission of failing to adequately address concerns surrounding transparency and result transmission.
The group also questioned the continued involvement of officials in INEC’s ICT structure whom it accused of playing roles in the alleged manipulation of the 2023 election.
It demanded an independent review of the commission’s electoral technology and called for the removal of any official whose conduct or political activities could compromise confidence in the electoral process.
The movement further demanded that INEC subject its proposed AI systems to independent testing and public scrutiny.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has himself identified AI-driven disinformation as a major threat to the credibility of the 2027 elections and called for closer integration of electoral technology and communication.
The Obidient Movement said the commission should therefore provide Nigerians with clear answers on the role AI would play in the election rather than simply announcing its deployment.
It also demanded a system of result transmission that would enable voters, political parties and observers to independently trace results from the polling unit through the collation process.
The movement warned that unresolved doubts about the electoral system could deepen public distrust ahead of 2027.
Tanko urged the INEC chairman to use the remaining time before the election to strengthen transparency and demonstrate the commission’s independence.
The group said any attempt to compromise the electoral process could trigger public outrage and an electoral crisis, urging INEC to act before the election rather than wait for disputes after the results are announced.
“The people’s mandate is not negotiable,” the movement said.