The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a strategic Information and Communication Technology (ICT) workshop on the development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regulatory Framework to guide the Commission’s adoption of emerging technologies in electoral administration.
The workshop, held on Monday, 16th March 2026 in Lagos, brought together Directors, Heads of ICT Departments from State Offices, technical experts, development partners, and other key stakeholders within the Commission.
In his welcome remarks, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Lagos State, Prof. Aboyomi Salami, represented by the Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Oluyemi Adeyemi-Showunmi, described the workshop as timely and strategic, noting that rapid technological advancements are reshaping governance systems and institutional operations globally.
He observed that Election Management Bodies are increasingly deploying innovative tools to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and credibility of electoral processes.
The REC reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to technological innovation, citing key milestones such as the introduction of biometric voter registration, the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), all of which have significantly strengthened transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the electoral process.
He further disclosed that the Commission, at its regular meeting of 22nd May 2025, approved the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Division within the ICT Department.
According to him, the initiative reflects INEC’s recognition of the growing importance of AI in enhancing institutional efficiency, enabling data-driven decision-making, and supporting the management of complex electoral operations.
While highlighting the potential of Artificial Intelligence in areas such as predictive planning, logistics coordination, risk monitoring, and large-scale data analysis, the REC cautioned that its adoption also presents critical challenges, particularly in relation to ethical governance, data protection, and information integrity.
He emphasized the need for a clear and robust institutional framework to guide its responsible deployment.
“This workshop provides a platform for stakeholders to contribute to the development of a comprehensive AI Framework that will define governance structures, ethical standards, and operational integration within the Commission’s ICT architecture,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Director, ICT described the workshop as a significant milestone in the Commission’s technological advancement and a critical step towards institutionalising AI governance.
He noted that while INEC has consistently leveraged technology to strengthen electoral integrity, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence represents a new frontier requiring deliberate planning and regulatory oversight.
He explained that AI has the potential to enhance electoral administration through improved data analytics, logistics forecasting, voter information services, disinformation detection, and decision-support systems.
He, however, stressed that these opportunities must be guided by strong governance frameworks to mitigate ethical, legal, and operational risks.
“The objective of this workshop is not merely to discuss Artificial Intelligence, but to develop a structured, responsible, and forward-looking regulatory framework to guide its application in electoral processes,” he said.
He added that participants would, over the course of the workshop, examine AI fundamentals, review lessons from previous engagements, explore the Commission’s AI roadmap, and collaboratively develop a draft regulatory framework.
In his goodwill message, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) Regional Director for Africa and the Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Seray Jah, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting INEC’s technological advancement.
He noted that while Artificial Intelligence offers significant opportunities to enhance efficiency, transparency, and service delivery in electoral management, it also raises important concerns relating to accountability and data protection.
He commended INEC for its proactive and forward-looking approach, noting that institutions that responsibly embrace innovation are better positioned to lead in a rapidly evolving global environment.
The workshop is expected to produce a draft AI Regulatory Framework that will guide the Commission’s adoption of Artificial Intelligence in a manner that strengthens electoral integrity, promotes transparency and accountability, and sustains public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.
