INEC, ECONEC Target Credible Elections Through New AI Guidelines

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) have adopted guidelines on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in electoral processes, in a move aimed at strengthening electoral integrity and preparing West African democracies for the growing influence of emerging technologies.

The guidelines were validated during a two-day meeting in Nigeria by electoral officials and information technology experts from across the West African sub-region, following the establishment of a working group at the ECONEC symposium held in Dakar, Senegal, in November 2025.

Speaking during the visit of the ECONEC delegation to INEC, the organisation’s Permanent Secretary and Head of the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division, Mr. Serigne Ka, said the guidelines were developed in response to the increasing role of AI in electoral administration and the need for a common regional framework to guide its application.

Ka explained that the previous symposium, which focused on AI and election integrity, recommended the creation of a working group to develop guidelines for the responsible use of AI in electoral processes. He said 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 the priority for electoral commissions was to determine how best to manage and deploy the technology in their respective electoral systems.

He added that the next phase would focus on implementing the guidelines across the sub-region, with member commissions expected to share practical experiences and develop approaches suited to their electoral environments.

Ka also expressed appreciation to INEC for hosting the delegation, noting that Nigeria’s experience, including the commission’s existing work on AI, offered opportunities for knowledge-sharing and regional collaboration.

In his remarks, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, underscored the importance of regional cooperation in strengthening electoral institutions and promoting credible elections across West Africa, particularly as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 General Election.

The INEC Chairman said electoral commissions across the region faced common legal, institutional, political and operational challenges, including 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.

The INEC chairman noted that Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 General Election required institutional readiness, legal certainty, transparency and effective coordination among electoral stakeholders.

He said the commission’s preparations included ensuring an accurate and reliable voters’ register, timely procurement and testing of electoral materials and technology, and training competent and impartial electoral personnel. He added that INEC was strengthening engagement with political parties, civil society organisations, the media, security agencies and other stakeholders to address concerns promptly and promote transparent communication.

Prof. Amupitan also emphasised the need to intensify voter and civic education to improve public understanding of electoral procedures, peaceful participation and lawful channels for resolving grievances.

The INEC chairman further highlighted the importance of learning from electoral experiences in other West African countries, citing the commission’s participation in the ECONEC Post-Election Follow-up and Needs Assessment Mission to Sierra Leone from September 19 to 26, 2026.

According to Amupitan, the mission reinforced the relationship between electoral reforms and political trust. He observed that although stakeholders recognised the need to strengthen Sierra Leone’s electoral framework ahead of its 2028 General Elections, concerns remained over the implementation of agreed recommendations and trust between the government and the main opposition party.

The mission also considered 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.

Prof. Amupitan said the development highlighted the importance of constitutional certainty, respect for judicial independence and the timely resolution of legal questions affecting electoral reforms.

Against this background, he called for stronger cooperation among ECONEC member commissions in areas including 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 member commissions to strengthen collaboration on voter education, responsible media engagement, combating misinformation, electoral security and inclusive participation, particularly for vulnerable groups.

The INEC chairman further advocated institutionalising post-election reviews and follow-up missions to ensure that recommendations were prioritised, implementation monitored and technical assistance aligned with identified needs.