AI is not enemy of democracy in Nigeria - INEC Chairman Amupitan says after the agency admitted AI generated photos were added into voter register

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, has said artificial intelligence is not an enemy of democracy, while warning that its misuse could create serious challenges for election management.

Amupitan spoke on Monday, November 2, at the Beyond the Ballot Summit in Abuja, where he discussed the opportunities and risks associated with AI in electoral processes.

“Artificial Intelligence, AI, is not an enemy of democracy,” he said. The INEC chairman explained that election management bodies around the world use machine-assisted processes to identify duplicate records in large voter registers, improve logistics and planning, analyse data and increase administrative efficiency.

However, he warned that the widespread availability of generative AI had made sophisticated tools accessible to people seeking to disrupt elections or mislead voters. He said capabilities that previously required substantial technical expertise and resources could now be obtained at very little cost.

Amupitan highlighted voice cloning of public figures and realistic fabricated recordings of election officials making false announcements as examples of the threats. “These tools target specific vulnerabilities with distinct timelines,” he said. His remarks followed his recent announcement that INEC would integrate AI into Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections.