ABUJA | Media360Impact Report
Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on electoral bodies across West Africa to strengthen their systems against the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in elections.
The call highlights growing concerns about how emerging technologies could affect electoral integrity, transparency and public trust in democratic processes across the sub-region.
The appeal followed a meeting in Abuja where regional electoral stakeholders validated guidelines designed to guide the responsible use of AI by electoral commissions.
Speaking during the visit, the delegation leader, Serigne Ka, Head of the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division and Permanent Secretary of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC), said the guidelines were developed by a regional working group established after a symposium on AI and election integrity held in Dakar, Senegal, in November 2025.
According to Ka, participants at the symposium agreed to establish the working group to develop a framework that would help electoral commissions navigate the opportunities and risks associated with AI.
He said the guidelines had now been adopted, with the next phase focusing on their implementation across West Africa.
“AI is here to stay anyway. There’s no way we can do away with AI anymore. How we are going to manage it, that’s what we are thinking about,” Ka said.
He noted that the delegation included information technology experts and stressed the importance of sharing practical experiences among electoral commissions to improve the implementation of the guidelines.
Ka also acknowledged Nigeria’s progress in addressing AI-related issues, noting that INEC already had a unit working on matters connected to the technology.
He called for broader international support to help electoral commissions across the region implement the guidelines effectively.
The initiative seeks to help electoral bodies benefit from emerging technologies while addressing potential threats to credible elections, including risks to transparency, electoral integrity and public confidence.
As AI continues to reshape information sharing and political communication, the regional framework is expected to provide guidance for electoral commissions seeking to manage its use responsibly and protect democratic processes.
Source: INEC/ECONEC engagement details as provided.
