Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the creation of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division under its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department.

The announcement was made in a statement issued by Mr. Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, following the commission’s regular weekly meeting held on Thursday in Abuja.

According to the statement, the establishment of the AI Division is the outcome of recent engagements with electoral bodies across the continent, where INEC participated in several conferences that explored the growing influence of artificial intelligence in election management.

“The commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Thursday, 22nd May 2025. Among other issues, the meeting considered the increasing relevance of Artificial Intelligence to elections and electoral activities in Nigeria and across the world,” the statement read in part.

INEC acknowledged both the potential risks and vast opportunities AI presents. While it expressed concern over the use of AI in spreading fake news and manipulating digital content, the commission highlighted the transformative benefits of the technology in areas such as data-driven decision-making, risk detection and mitigation, and the automation of voter services.

“This initiative puts the commission in the forefront of institutionalising AI capabilities within our ICT infrastructure,” the commission stated. “It is also an important step in our ongoing reform of the electoral process in areas that only require administrative action by the commission.”

The key objectives of the newly established Artificial Intelligence Division include enhancing logistical planning and the distribution of election materials through the use of geo-spatial intelligence. It also aims to improve the allocation of polling units to ensure better access for voters across the country. Furthermore, the division will work to strengthen the transparency of electoral processes by leveraging predictive analytics, automate internal operations and voter services for increased efficiency, and manage electoral risks while implementing safeguards against digital manipulation.

INEC further stated that the centralisation of AI governance under the new division will allow for a more cohesive deployment of technology, ultimately contributing to a more credible, transparent, and voter-friendly electoral process.