Nigeria’s electoral commission faces renewed scrutiny ahead of the 2027 general election, as a new artificial intelligence initiative seeks to tackle misinformation while opposition figure Atiku Abubakar and a civic organisation demand greater transparency.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Meta and Rise Networks have launched a ₦10 million artificial intelligence (AI) hackathon aimed at strengthening electoral integrity, as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar demands the publication of the preliminary voters’ register and a civic group threatens legal action against the commission.
The developments come amid growing concerns over electoral transparency, the accessibility of voter information and the potential misuse of AI-generated content ahead of the 2027 general election. Source: ARISE News
AI initiative targets electoral challenges
The #AI4Elections Hackathon, led by Rise Networks in collaboration with INEC, Meta and other institutional partners, is designed to encourage Nigerian innovators to develop practical technology solutions to electoral challenges.
The initiative will focus on misinformation, electoral cybersecurity, data analysis, inclusive civic engagement and citizen accountability.
Other partners include Google, Microsoft and the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR).
According to the organisers, the competition will bring together developers, researchers, students, technology entrepreneurs and electoral experts to build tools capable of improving access to reliable electoral information and supporting credible elections.
The programme offers a total cash prize of ₦10 million, alongside cloud credits, laptops and other technology resources.
Applications opened on 22 October and will close on 12 November 2026. Eligible Nigerians aged 18 and above can participate individually or in teams of up to four members.
The initiative builds on Run-Am, an AI-powered misinformation detection and fact-checking application developed for Nigeria’s 2023 elections. Organisers say the programme will prioritise responsible AI use, data privacy, human oversight and compliance with electoral laws. Read more about the initiative.
Atiku demands access to voters’ register
While the AI initiative seeks to strengthen electoral processes, Atiku has called on INEC to make the preliminary voters’ register available for public scrutiny.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council, the former vice-president questioned why the register was reportedly inaccessible online during the commission’s announced inspection period of 9–15 October.
INEC has announced that Nigeria has more than 103 million registered voters. Atiku argued that publishing the overall figure was insufficient without allowing citizens to verify their individual details.
He called on the commission to clarify when and where the register was displayed, provide access to the relevant records and ensure voters have an opportunity to identify omissions or challenge questionable entries.
Atiku also raised concerns about safeguards for authenticating ballot papers without INEC’s official mark, urging the commission to explain how disputed ballots would be verified.
The demands come as political parties and other stakeholders begin preparing for the 2027 general election. Source: Punch
Civic group gives INEC deadline
Adding to the pressure, Concerned Citizens for Nigerian Democracy (CCND) has threatened to approach the Federal High Court if INEC fails to publish the preliminary voters’ register online by 30 October.
The group said its attempt to access the commission’s voter registration portal on 21 October returned a “Service temporarily unavailable” message, preventing it from viewing or downloading the register.
CCND argued that online publication would enable voters, political parties and election observers to identify possible duplicate registrations, entries relating to deceased persons and questionable voter transfers.
Citing Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, the organisation maintained that public access to the register was essential to meaningful scrutiny and the exercise of the statutory right to submit claims and objections.
It said it could seek an order of mandamus compelling INEC to publish the register and extend the period for claims and objections.
The group’s position adds a legal dimension to the dispute over the accessibility of voter information ahead of the elections. Source: Punch
Transparency and technology in focus
The contrasting developments highlight two important challenges facing Nigeria’s electoral process: the potential of technology to improve election management and the need for transparent, accessible electoral information.
AI tools could help detect manipulated content, improve access to voter education and identify discrepancies in electoral data. However, their effectiveness will depend on responsible deployment, human oversight and public confidence in the systems being used.
For INEC, the immediate issue raised by Atiku and CCND is whether the preliminary voters’ register will be made accessible in a manner that allows Nigerians to verify their details and exercise their rights before election day.
As preparations for the 2027 general election gather pace, the commission’s response to the demands—and the implementation of the new AI initiative—will remain important areas of public interest.
