INEC Warns AI-Generated Fake Content Could Threaten 2027 Elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that the misuse of artificial intelligence to create and spread manipulated content could pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

INEC said the growing accessibility of generative AI has made it cheaper and more difficult to detect fabricated audio, videos and images, raising concerns about their potential impact on voters and electoral credibility.

The warning was issued by Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, in Abuja on Monday during a capacity-building workshop for the commission’s Public Affairs Officers (PAOs) from across the country.

Haruna said AI could also be used to create highly targeted messages designed to present conflicting narratives to different groups of voters.

He said the development made it necessary for electoral technology and electoral communication to be treated as interconnected aspects of election management.

Haruna recalled that INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, had recently said the credibility of elections now depended not only on ballot papers, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and result sheets, but also on the information environment in which voters make decisions.

The workshop, themed “Strengthening PAOs Capacity for Credible, Verified and Responsible Election Communication Towards 2027,” is aimed at equipping INEC’s communication officers with the skills needed to tackle emerging information challenges.

The commission said the officers would receive training in verification, escalation procedures and clear and consistent communication, as well as ways to monitor misinformation and disinformation.

INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said the officers play an important role in shaping public perception of the commission.

She said the training was only the beginning of a sustained capacity-building programme, with further interventions being planned with support from development partners.

The Deputy Director of Information and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, said the programme would also train participants on the responsible use of AI, including its applications, limitations, confidentiality requirements and verification safeguards.

INEC said the initiative is part of preparations to ensure accurate, consistent and professional election communication ahead of the 2027 general elections.