Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) don raise serious concern say Artificial Intelligence (AI) fit become one of di biggest threats to Nigeria 2027 general election if proper measures no dey in place.
Di commission talk say fake videos, cloned voice recordings, manipulated pictures and false information wey AI fit create fit mislead voters, cause confusion and damage public trust for election process.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), make di warning for Abuja during one international conference on media, technology and elections. According to statement wey INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi sign, di electoral body don already begin full check of all its election technology systems as preparations for 2027 election gather speed.
Amupitan talk say election credibility no dey depend only on ballot papers, BVAS machines or result sheets again. According to am, wetin voters see online and wetin dem believe don become equally important because fake information fit spread faster than truth for social media.
E explain say BVAS and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) were introduced to improve transparency and restore confidence in elections, but wetin happen during di 2023 general election show say technology fit quickly become source of doubt if e no perform as expected.
According to am, people go only trust election process when di system work properly, voters understand how e work and authorities explain any failure openly and honestly.
As part of preparations for 2027, INEC say e dey consider conducting one mock presidential election before di actual polls. Di exercise go help test voter accreditation, result transmission and online result viewing under conditions wey resemble real election day.
Di commission also reveal say e dey carry out comprehensive technology audit, including cyber-security checks, backup systems and emergency recovery plans to ensure say election technology no fail when Nigerians need am most.
INEC further express concern over how AI technology now fit generate fake speeches, fake campaign messages, manipulated videos and pictures wey resemble real content. According to di commission, di danger no be only fake information but also di ability of politicians and political actors to use technology send different political messages to different groups of voters at di same time.
Amupitan warn say before fact-checkers, journalists or election officials fit expose fake content, such information fit don circulate reach millions of Nigerians online and influence public opinion.
According to am, di threat no stop for outright lies alone because AI fit also help spread conflicting messages to different sections of di electorate without any common facts wey everybody fit verify.
Meanwhile, INEC disclose say e don request major funding to support election technology and operations ahead of 2027. Part of di money go be used to replace accreditation devices wey spoil, get damaged or disappear during previous election cycle.
Although di commission never receive full release of di funds, INEC say its ICT department don already begin engagement with manufacturers while preparations for technology audit and possible mock election continue.
To tackle misinformation before 2027, INEC say e go combine technology and communication planning, establish rapid-response systems against fake news, improve collaboration with media organisations and fact-checkers, and intensify public enlightenment so Nigerians fit identify fake content when dem see am.
Amupitan come call on journalists, technology experts, scholars and other stakeholders make dem join hands with INEC to protect di integrity of Nigeria democracy.
According to am, election management for modern times no fit succeed if technology and communication continue to dey treated as separate issues.
As 2027 election dey draw near, INEC warning don expose growing fears say AI-generated lies, deepfake videos, fake voice notes and manipulated online content fit become one of di biggest battles Nigerians go face before dem finally go cast their votes.
