Dr Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against overlooking human responsibility as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Amadi argued that the problems experienced during the 2023 general elections were primarily linked to human failures rather than artificial intelligence (AI), stressing the importance of accountability and effective electoral management.
His remarks come amid growing discussions about INEC's plans to introduce and expand the use of AI in election administration ahead of the 2027 polls.
The debate has intensified as election officials and other stakeholders examine how technology can improve the electoral process while protecting public confidence in election results.
Sam Amadi Highlights Human Responsibility in Elections
Amadi's comments draw attention to the role of electoral officials, institutional procedures and accountability in ensuring credible elections.
The 2023 general elections faced criticism following problems with the electronic transmission and uploading of presidential election results on INEC's Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
The technical difficulties generated widespread questions about transparency and the commission's ability to deliver on its promises concerning the use of election technology.
INEC later attributed the portal problems to a configuration issue affecting the uploading of presidential election results.
Amadi's position reinforces the argument that electoral challenges cannot be addressed through technology alone without examining the conduct and decisions of the people responsible for managing the process.
INEC Considers AI Ahead of 2027 Elections
INEC has been exploring the use of artificial intelligence to strengthen election administration and improve the detection of irregularities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission has also established a dedicated AI division within its Information and Communications Technology Department as part of its preparations.
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan has maintained that AI will not independently determine election outcomes, emphasising that critical electoral decisions must remain subject to human oversight and established legal procedures.
The commission is also working on safeguards intended to promote transparency, accountability and public trust in the use of emerging technologies.
Concerns Over Election Technology and Accountability
The debate over AI comes as electoral stakeholders continue examining lessons from the 2023 polls.
Although technology can help identify errors and improve the handling of election information, its effectiveness depends on proper implementation, clear procedures and accountability.
Questions have also emerged over how AI-generated information would be verified, how discrepancies in election results would be resolved and who would be held responsible when systems fail.
These concerns have prompted calls for INEC to provide clear guidelines explaining how AI will be used and what safeguards will protect the integrity of the electoral process.
2027 Polls Put INEC Under Renewed Scrutiny
With Nigeria preparing for another general election, INEC faces the challenge of addressing concerns arising from previous polls while introducing new technological tools.
Amadi's warning adds to the broader discussion about the importance of institutional responsibility in protecting electoral credibility.
As preparations continue, the commission will be expected to demonstrate that its systems are reliable, its procedures transparent and its officials accountable for their decisions.
The experience of the 2023 elections remains an important reference point as Nigeria considers how best to combine technology, human oversight and democratic accountability ahead of the 2027 polls.
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