The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has completed 10 of the 14 major activities on its timetable for the 2027 general election, with the commission’s chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, identifying artificial intelligence, difficult terrain, insecurity and poor network coverage as challenges requiring attention before the polls.
Amupitan disclosed this on Wednesday at the Artificial Intelligence and Democracy Forum 2026 in Abuja, organised by Yiaga Africa, where he stressed that emerging technology must not undermine the authority of voters in determining electoral outcomes.
He said the commission had also begun receiving additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices and had digitised its candidate nomination process, which had handled more than 15,000 nominations across 22 political parties.
The developments come as INEC prepares for an election involving more than 103 million registered voters across 176,846 polling units in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Addressing the forum, Amupitan insisted that the final choice of Nigeria’s leaders must remain with citizens, despite the growing influence of AI on political communication, election logistics and the information available to voters.
“No, algorithms will not and must never decide the 2027 votes. Algorithms will not decide the vote because the choice of who leads Nigeria belongs exclusively to the Nigerian people,” he said.
The INEC chairman warned, in effect, against allowing technology to assume a controlling role in the democratic process, saying the commission’s responsibility was to ensure that artificial intelligence served electoral integrity rather than compromise it.
“Our task, therefore, at this forum and within the Commission is to ensure that AI remains a servant of democracy, not its master,” he stated.
Amupitan also acknowledged the weight of the responsibility placed on him as preparations intensify, revealing that his religious faith had helped him cope with the demands of the office.
“I’ve handed over everything to God,” he said, explaining that his faith remained an anchor as he confronted the challenge of conducting the 2027 elections.
Beyond technological preparedness, the commission faces operational hurdles in reaching communities affected by insecurity, difficult geographical conditions and inadequate telecommunications infrastructure. These constraints could complicate the deployment of personnel and electoral materials, as well as the use of technology during the voting process.
The chairman said INEC was working within the strict timelines prescribed by the Electoral Act, 2026, while strengthening its technological capacity ahead of the polls.
The digitisation of candidate nominations represents another component of the commission’s preparations, with the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal providing an electronic channel for political parties to submit candidates’ details.
The briefing at the Yiaga Africa forum placed electoral technology and operational readiness at the centre of discussions on protecting the credibility of the 2027 elections, particularly as artificial intelligence creates new opportunities and risks for political participation.
