2027: INEC, ECONEC Adopt AI Guidelines for Credible Polls
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) have adopted guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in electoral processes to strengthen electoral integrity and address emerging technological challenges across West Africa.
The guidelines were validated at a two-day meeting in Nigeria involving electoral officials and information technology experts from across the sub-region, following the establishment of a working group at an ECONEC symposium in Dakar, Senegal, in November 2025.
Speaking during a visit by the ECONEC delegation to INEC, the organisation’s Permanent Secretary and Head of the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division, Serigne Ka, said the guidelines were developed to provide a common regional framework for the responsible application of AI in election administration.
Ka explained that the November 2025 symposium, which focused on artificial intelligence and electoral integrity, recommended the establishment of a working group to develop guidelines for electoral commissions across the region.
According to him, the group subsequently held several working sessions and produced a draft document that was subjected to validation before its adoption.
“AI is here to stay. There is no way we can do away with AI anymore,” Ka said, stressing that electoral management bodies must determine how best to regulate, manage and deploy the technology within their respective electoral systems.
He said the next phase would focus on implementing the guidelines across the sub-region, with member commissions expected to exchange practical experiences and develop approaches suited to their individual electoral environments.
Ka also commended INEC for hosting the delegation, noting that Nigeria’s experience and the commission’s existing work on AI offered opportunities for knowledge-sharing and stronger regional cooperation.
In his remarks, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, emphasised the importance of regional collaboration in strengthening electoral institutions and promoting credible elections, particularly as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan said electoral commissions across West Africa faced common legal, institutional, political and operational challenges involving electoral technology, results management, voter education, electoral security and dispute resolution.
He described ECONEC as an important platform for electoral management bodies to exchange experiences, address shared challenges and develop practical solutions to improve democratic governance.
“No electoral commission has a monopoly on knowledge or experience. We all have valuable lessons to share and much to learn from one another,” he said.
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The INEC chairman said preparations for the 2027 general elections required institutional readiness, legal certainty, transparency and effective coordination among electoral stakeholders.
He listed the commission’s priorities to include maintaining an accurate and reliable voters’ register, ensuring timely procurement and testing of electoral materials and technology, and training competent and impartial electoral personnel.
According to him, INEC is also strengthening engagement with political parties, civil society organisations, the media, security agencies and other stakeholders to address concerns promptly and promote transparent communication.
Amupitan further stressed the need to intensify voter and civic education to improve public understanding of electoral procedures, encourage peaceful participation and promote the use of lawful channels for resolving electoral grievances.
He also highlighted the importance of drawing lessons from electoral experiences across the region, citing INEC’s participation in the ECONEC Post-Election Follow-up and Needs Assessment Mission to Sierra Leone from September 19 to 26, 2026.
According to him, the mission underscored the relationship between electoral reforms and political trust.
He said stakeholders in Sierra Leone recognised the need to strengthen the country’s electoral framework ahead of its 2028 general elections, although concerns remained over the implementation of agreed recommendations and trust between the government and the main opposition party.
The mission also examined a constitutional question concerning the interpretation of the two-thirds majority required for constitutional amendments in Sierra Leone. The matter had been referred to the country’s Supreme Court for an authoritative interpretation, and the mission refrained from taking a position.
Amupitan said the development demonstrated the importance of constitutional certainty, respect for judicial independence and the timely resolution of legal questions affecting electoral reforms.
Against this backdrop, he called for stronger cooperation among ECONEC member commissions in electoral technology, results transmission, records management, election logistics, risk assessment, personnel training and preventive regulation of political parties to improve compliance and reduce disputes.
He also urged electoral commissions to deepen collaboration on voter education, responsible media engagement, combating misinformation, electoral security and inclusive participation, particularly among vulnerable groups.
The INEC chairman further advocated the institutionalisation of post-election reviews and follow-up missions to ensure that recommendations were prioritised, implementation monitored and technical assistance aligned with identified needs.
The adoption of the AI guidelines marks a step towards developing a coordinated regional approach to emerging technologies in election administration, as West African electoral bodies seek to address the opportunities and risks associated with AI and strengthen public confidence in democratic processes.
By PRNigeria
