KEY POINTS

• To support better election organization and services, INEC introduces an AI Division.
• It works on seeing, identifying and solving risks, using geospatial tools, while stopping fraud.
• It follows INEC’s involvement in international discussions on AI and electoral integrity.

Inside its ICT department, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set up a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) unit.

The transition aims to improve how people vote online, support smarter decisions with data and efficiently deal with risks. Sam Olumekun announced this in a statement released from Abuja after the commission’s meeting last week.

AI is being used to improve logistics and electoral trust

Olumekun stated that the work of the AI Division will support geospatial intelligence which will improve organization of logistics by supporting better material distribution and polling site placement.

Both predictive analytics and intelligent automation should help to increase the trustworthiness and openness of elections. The commission will apply AI to catch risks early, engage with voters and stop voting fraud.

Being involved in the world and modernizing strategies

The participation of INEC in international events about AI and electoral processes influenced its decision as INEC adopts AI . These engagements showed what dangers and benefits may result from adopting AI in elections. Olumekun said despite noting misinformation and manipulated content, AI can be very useful for managing and arranging election-related activities.

INEC adopts AI as it connects elections with technology

The division will bring under one AI framework all of INEC’s current technology applications. This reform contributes to the larger goal of streamlining elections that only need basic changes to administration. By being proactive, INEC has placed Nigeria at the top of AI adoption in African elections.