The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to establish a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division within its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Department.
The development was revealed in a statement on Thursday by Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee.
According to the Commission, the decision was reached during a recent regular meeting in response to the growing global and local significance of AI in enhancing electoral systems.
Highlighting the advantages of AI integration, Olumekun said, “INEC hopes to utilise its benefits for data-driven decision-making, risk detection and mitigation, deepening voter services automation and geo-spatial intelligence in support of logistic optimisation for better material distribution and polling unit allocation.”
He explained that the new division would help INEC maximise its existing technological assets through centralised AI governance. “It will also enhance decision-making through data-driven insights, risk management, and voter engagement. Furthermore, it will strengthen electoral credibility through predictive analytics, automation, and intelligent safeguards,” Olumekun added.
“This initiative puts the Commission at the forefront of institutionalising AI capabilities within our ICT infrastructure,” he noted, emphasizing that the move is a crucial part of INEC’s ongoing electoral reform efforts, particularly in areas where administrative action alone can lead to significant improvements.
Thanks for the Info: I’ll be delighted to be among the Department of AI.