INEC has asked Canada for more help with technology, artificial intelligence, and making elections more inclusive ahead of the 2027 polls.
INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, made the request during a meeting with a Canadian delegation at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. He said Canada has been a reliable partner in supporting Nigeria’s democratic process, civic education and efforts to include women and persons with disabilities.
The Chairman noted that recent off-cycle elections, especially the Osun governorship poll, showed strong improvements. He said 94.5 per cent of polling units opened on time, BVAS performed well, and results were transmitted smoothly through the IReV portal. INEC plans to use the Osun experience as a model for the 2027 elections.
Amupitan listed key areas for deeper cooperation with Canada. These include strengthening cybersecurity of electoral technology, expanding access for underrepresented groups, countering misinformation through better civic education, and using artificial intelligence responsibly.
He also said INEC has set up an AI unit to improve data management and guard against the misuse of technology such as deepfakes. The Commission will hold a mock accreditation exercise in November to test its readiness. Canada was invited to support this exercise and to assist with visas for INEC officials attending a global conference on responsible AI use in elections in Ottawa next year.
The Canadian Chargé d’Affaires, David Sproule, said his country remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s electoral process and is willing to help improve it further.
