INEC, ECONEC Adopt AI Guidelines to Strengthen Electoral Integrity in West Africa

INEC, ECONEC Adopt AI Guidelines to Strengthen Electoral Integrity in West Africa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) have adopted guidelines for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in electoral processes to strengthen electoral integrity and prepare West African democracies for emerging technological challenges.

The guidelines were validated at a two-day meeting in Nigeria attended by electoral officials and information technology experts from across the West African sub-region.

The initiative followed the establishment of a working group at an ECONEC symposium on AI and electoral integrity held in Dakar, Senegal, in November 2025.

Speaking during a visit by the ECONEC delegation to INEC, the organisation’s Permanent Secretary and Head of the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division, Serigne Ka, said the guidelines were developed in response to AI’s growing influence on election administration and the need for a common regional framework for its responsible use.

Ka explained that the working group held several sessions to develop a draft document, which was subsequently reviewed and validated before adoption.

“AI is here to stay. There is no way we can do away with AI anymore,” he said, stressing that electoral commissions must determine how best to manage and deploy the technology within their respective electoral systems.

He added that the next phase would focus on implementing the guidelines across the sub-region, with member commissions expected to share experiences and develop approaches suited to their electoral environments.

Ka commended INEC for hosting the delegation, noting that Nigeria’s experience and ongoing work on AI offered opportunities for knowledge-sharing and regional collaboration.

In his remarks, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, said regional cooperation was essential to strengthening electoral institutions and promoting credible elections across West Africa, particularly as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 General Election.

Amupitan noted that electoral commissions in the region faced similar legal, institutional, political and operational challenges, including electoral technology, results management, voter education, security and dispute resolution.

He described ECONEC as an important platform for electoral management bodies to exchange knowledge, address shared challenges and develop practical solutions to improve democratic governance.

“No electoral commission has a monopoly on knowledge or experience. We all have valuable lessons to share and much to learn from one another,” he said.

The INEC chairman said preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 General Election required institutional readiness, legal certainty, transparency and effective coordination among electoral stakeholders.

He outlined the commission’s priorities as maintaining an accurate and reliable voters’ register, procuring and testing electoral materials and technology on time, and training competent and impartial electoral personnel.

He added that INEC was strengthening engagement with political parties, civil society organisations, the media, security agencies and other stakeholders to address concerns and promote transparent communication.

Amupitan also stressed the importance of voter and civic education to improve public understanding of electoral procedures, encourage peaceful participation and promote the lawful resolution of electoral grievances.

Highlighting the value of regional experience, he cited INEC’s participation in the ECONEC Post-Election Follow-up and Needs Assessment Mission to Sierra Leone from September 19 to 26, 2026.

According to him, the mission highlighted the relationship between electoral reforms and political trust, including concerns about implementing agreed recommendations and improving relations between the government and the main opposition party ahead of Sierra Leone’s 2028 General Election.

The mission also considered a constitutional question concerning the interpretation of the two-thirds majority required for constitutional amendments in Sierra Leone. The matter had been referred to the country’s Supreme Court, and the mission refrained from taking a position.

Amupitan said the development underscored the importance of constitutional certainty, judicial independence and the timely resolution of legal questions affecting electoral reforms.

He called for stronger cooperation among ECONEC member commissions in electoral technology, results transmission, records management, logistics, risk assessment, personnel training and regulation of political parties to improve compliance and reduce disputes.

The INEC chairman further urged electoral bodies to strengthen collaboration on voter education, responsible media engagement, combating misinformation, electoral security and inclusive participation, particularly for vulnerable groups.

He also advocated regular post-election reviews and follow-up missions to ensure recommendations are prioritised, implementation is monitored and technical assistance is directed towards identified needs.

The adoption of the AI guidelines marks a step towards regional cooperation on emerging technologies, as electoral commissions seek to harness innovation while safeguarding transparency, public trust and electoral integrity.

INEC, ECONEC Adopt AI Guidelines to Strengthen Electoral Integrity in West Africa