Obidients Reject INEC 2027 AI Election Plan, Cite Transparency

• The Obidient Movement has warned INEC against deploying Artificial Intelligence in the 2027 general elections.
• National Coordinator Yunusa Tanko cited unresolved issues with electoral transparency and credibility as reasons for the rejection.
• INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan disclosed the commission is already using AI to detect errors and combat disinformation, with a governance framework in place.
• The movement demands INEC publish its full 2027 election plan, conduct an independent audit of its technology, and ensure transparent result transmission.
• Tanko argued that technological advancement alone cannot guarantee credible elections without institutional accountability.

Introducing AI into a system that has yet to account for its existing failures is not electoral reform. It is an attempt to distract Nigerians from the fundamental questions of institutional independence, transparency and accountability.

The Obidient Movement has issued a strong warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), cautioning against the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the upcoming 2027 general elections. This rejection stems from what the movement describes as persistent, unresolved issues concerning electoral transparency, the reliability of result transmission, and the overall credibility of INEC's operational processes. Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator for the Obidient Movement, formally delivered this warning in a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday.

In contrast to the Obidient Movement's skepticism, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan has outlined the commission's proactive approach to integrating AI into its electoral framework. Speaking at the 24th All Nigeria Editors Conference held in Enugu, Amupitan confirmed that INEC is already utilizing AI tools primarily to identify discrepancies and administrative errors within election results. This initial deployment of INEC 2027 election AI tools is intended to enhance the accuracy of the electoral process.

Furthermore, Amupitan detailed INEC's efforts to fortify its defenses against the growing threat of AI-generated disinformation. This includes combating fake result sheets, cloned voices of electoral officials, fabricated videos, and forged official documents, all of which could undermine election integrity. To support these initiatives, INEC has established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division within its ICT Department and developed a comprehensive AI Roadmap and Governance Framework. This framework, according to Amupitan, is built upon core principles including human oversight, transparency and accountability, data protection, cybersecurity, and fostering public trust in Nigeria election technology safeguards.

The Obidient Movement's concerns extend beyond mere technical explanations, delving into deeper questions of institutional accountability. Yunusa Tanko, delivering the INEC AI warning, highlighted a recent investigation by Mundx Analytics, which reportedly uncovered that presidential results from more than 50,000 polling units were uploaded using personal mobile phones. This finding, according to Tanko, underscores the argument that technological advancements alone cannot guarantee credible elections without a foundational commitment to institutional accountability.

Tanko critically stated that "Introducing AI into a system that has yet to account for its existing failures is not electoral reform. It is an attempt to distract Nigerians from the fundamental questions of institutional independence, transparency and accountability." Consequently, the Obidient Movement has issued several demands, including the publication of INEC's comprehensive 2027 election plan, detailing all intended technologies, procedures, and safeguards. They also called for an independent audit of the commission’s electoral technology, with public disclosure of the audit findings and any necessary corrective measures, alongside demands for transparent and verifiable result transmission to ensure every vote cast is accurately reflected.

The ongoing debate surrounding INEC's AI deployment underscores a critical juncture for Nigeria's electoral integrity. The Obidient Movement electoral transparency advocates insist that the commission must thoroughly explain its proposed AI usage and subject the technology to rigorous independent testing and public scrutiny before widespread implementation. This call for transparency and verification aims to build public confidence in the electoral process.

Yunusa Tanko reiterated that INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, still has ample time to re-evaluate the commission's current approach before the 2027 elections. The movement's stance emphasizes that the "people’s mandate is not negotiable," signaling a firm commitment to ensuring that future elections are perceived as fair, credible, and truly reflective of the electorate's will. The outcome of this dialogue will significantly shape the landscape of Nigeria's future electoral technology and public trust.

Lawyers advising political parties or involved in election litigation should monitor the ongoing debate and potential legal challenges to INEC's AI deployment, as it could impact electoral transparency and the validity of future election results. Compliance officers should note the public demand for robust safeguards and independent audits of election technology.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers