A former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, has called for proactive and robust safeguards to protect information integrity as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections.

Mr Jega made the call in Abuja at a National Summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) and Electoral Information Integrity.

Speaking as the chairman of the event, themed “Beyond the Ballot: Safeguarding Electoral Information Integrity in the Age of AI,” Mr Jega noted that safeguarding electoral information against digital manipulation and malicious threats had become a critical task for all stakeholders.

While acknowledging that AI holds tremendous potential to improve efficiency and effectiveness in governance and electoral processes, he warned that it could also be used in ways that could undermine election integrity.

“What is most important, of course, is how we prepare, anticipate these challenges and take appropriate measures, including setting up a framework of rapid response to address these,” he said.

Drawing on his participation in the 2024 Cambridge Conference on Electoral Democracy, Mr Jega recommended that Election Management Bodies (EMBs) in Africa consider deploying AI-driven tools, such as chatbots powered by officially verified data.

He noted that such tools would allow citizens to quickly access accurate information and verify the authenticity of data being circulated.

“I understand that some African EMBs have seen the utility of this in checkmating or reducing the negative effects and the impact of misinformation and disinformation during elections.

“And I would like to recommend that if INEC has not done so so far, it might be a useful issue to add to our discussions and to see as to how best to know it before the 2027 general elections,” he said.

The former INEC chairman noted that building trust and public confidence in the electoral process was important.

“The integrity of an election is so important and building trust and ensuring that there is public confidence in what participants in the electoral process do and other key stakeholders do is very important,” Mr Jega said.

He urged participants to leverage the summit’s platform to move beyond dialogue and develop actionable strategies, rapid-response frameworks and tactical solutions to safeguard the integrity of future elections.

Declaring the workshop open, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said that the integrity of the 2027 elections remained a shared responsibility, noting that every institution and citizen had a role to play.

Mr Idris, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), Dili Ezughah, said the President Bola Tinubu-led administration recognised the importance of a credible information environment to democratic stability.

Citing Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, published in 2024, which provides a framework for responsible, critical and inclusive AI development and deployment, he said the Tinubu administration also recognised the importance of credible information in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

“A significant demonstration of this commitment is the establishment of the UNESCO Category 2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute in Nigeria,” he said.

The minister said Mr Tinubu had demonstrated this commitment by signing the amended Electoral Act 2026 into law on February 18, which provided for the mandatory electronic transmission of polling unit results and recognised the time-tested results viewing portal.

He, however, said technology alone could not guarantee public confidence in the electoral process, adding that all stakeholders had to play their expected roles.

“Electoral institutions must communicate clearly. Journalists must verify information and citizens must know where to obtain authentic electoral updates.

“I wish to emphasise that responsible journalism must not be mistaken for favourable journalism. The media must remain free to question government, political parties, candidates and public institutions, ensuring fairness and a clear distinction between facts, allegations and opinions.

“We must also protect freedom of expression and the right to information. Responses to misinformation must be lawful, proportionate and respectful of fundamental rights. Technology platforms, political parties, security agencies, civil society and fact-checkers must each recognise their responsibilities,” he said.

Mr Idris urged summit participants to move beyond discussions and make practical commitments, including stronger verification systems, rapid channels for correcting false information, coordinated responses to information threats and sustained public education ahead of the elections.

(NAN)