INEC Chairman: Algorithms Must Never Decide Nigeria’s 2027 Elections

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said algorithms must never determine the outcome of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, stressing that the power to choose the country’s leaders rests with voters.

Amupitan made the statement at the Artificial Intelligence and Democracy Forum 2026 in Abuja, where he addressed concerns about the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on elections and democratic processes.

“Algorithms will not, and must never, decide the 2027 vote,” he said.

The INEC chairman acknowledged that artificial intelligence would influence the information voters receive and how elections are organised. However, he maintained that technology must support the electoral process rather than replace human judgment in critical decisions.

“The choice of who leads Nigeria belongs exclusively to the Nigerian people,” Amupitan added.

He said INEC would maintain human oversight over key electoral processes, including result collation, voter accreditation and the qualification of candidates, instead of leaving such decisions entirely to automated systems.

Amupitan also disclosed that the commission had completed 10 of the 14 major operational milestones under the Electoral Act 2026.

As part of its efforts to modernise election administration, INEC has introduced online voter registration and digitised candidate nominations, according to his address.

His remarks highlight the commission’s stated position that the use of emerging technologies in the 2027 elections must not undermine voters’ authority or remove human accountability from important electoral decisions.