The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed artificial intelligence-generated photographs uploaded to the national voters’ register and identified officials involved in the practice across 10 states for disciplinary action.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this on Wednesday during a webinar organised by the PUNCH Media Foundation titled, ‘AI, Misinformation and Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Safeguarding the Truth, Protecting the Vote’.
Haruna described the development as a major challenge, noting that the commission had already taken down several AI-generated photographs discovered on the voters’ register.
He explained that although it could be difficult to prevent members of the public from manipulating their photographs before uploading them, INEC had greater control over violations involving its personnel.
The commissioner disclosed that the affected officials had been identified in about 10 states and would face disciplinary action.
On the regulation of artificial intelligence in the electoral process, Haruna said INEC had developed an AI policy but was still working to finalise it.
He noted that the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence had created new challenges for electoral bodies globally, adding that the commission was working out guidelines on how the technology would be deployed and regulated ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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