<\/p>\n
By Emmanuel Oloniruha<\/p>\n
The ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC), an umbrella body for election management bodies in West Africa, has adopted a regional guideline on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in electoral processes.<\/p>\n
Permanent Secretary of ECONEC and Head of Electoral Assistance Division at the ECOWAS Commission, Mr Serigne Ka, disclosed this while speaking during the mission\u2019s delegation visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
He said that the measure is to safeguard democratic integrity across the sub-region.<\/p>\n
Group photograph during ECONEC delegation\u2019s visit to INEC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday<\/p>\n
Ka disclosed that the guidelines were finalised during a two-day validation meeting of IT experts and electoral officials in Abuja, following initial recommendations from the ECONEC Symposium held in Dakar in November 2025.<\/p>\n
He said that the move was crucial as AI has become an irreversible reality in modern administration.<\/p>\n
Ka, who represented the Chair of ECONEC, Abdoulaye Sylla, recalled that a specialised working group was established after the 2025 Dakar symposium to draft the regulatory framework.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis mission is here to validate those guidelines. The meeting started yesterday and today was the final day on the validation of the guidelines on the use of AI in electoral processes.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany members here are IT experts because when we talk of AI, we talk of IT. We know Nigeria already has a unit working on AI, making the sharing of practical experiences very important.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow that the guidelines have been adopted, we will see how in the sub-region we are going to use AI in our electoral processes. AI is here to stay and our focus is on how to manage it responsibly,\u201d Ka said.<\/p>\n
He appealed for support from the international community to ensure effective implementation of the guidelines across member states.<\/p>\n
Receiving the delegation, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, commended ECONEC for providing a vital platform for peer learning, institutional strengthening and addressing shared electoral challenges across West Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo electoral commission has a monopoly on experience or knowledge, so we have valuable lessons to share and to learn from one another.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor any region, the ECONEC reflects our commitment to continuous learning and institutional education,\u201d he said<\/p>\n
Amupitan said that integrating AI and cybersecurity mechanisms is essential for safeguarding electoral infrastructure, building public trust and improving voter services.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people are very skeptical about the use of AI because of the dangers inherent in it. But even if you don\u2019t want to use it, every system you have, even your phone already has AI in it.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, when we say we want to use AI, it means that you want to have things, features, or cyber skills that will prevent your own phone system from being used against you.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, you need to ensure that you get security, especially with our youth. You need to use AI most of the time for the purpose of registration of voters. We also need to have people there to be able to give responses.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople like to ask questions. Through AI, you are able to provide information. Frequently asked questions information is pulled out. Things that we use for public trust, which is very important,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added that strengthening democracy in West Africa required strategically independent and professionally managed electoral institutions committed to the rule of law, supported by political parties, judicial, security agencies, civil society, the media and citizens.<\/p>\n
Amupitan reiterated INEC\u2019s commitment to supporting sister electoral management bodies in West Africa through shared technical expertise, joint post-election reviews and institutional collaboration to uphold democratic standards in the sub-region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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