INEC Sounds Alarm on Foreign Election Interference Ahead of 2027
With more than 103 million Nigerians on the voters’ register and the 2027 general election approaching, INEC is raising concerns over a threat that could undermine voters’ confidence long before they reach the polling stations: foreign-driven disinformation.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on the United Nations and the United Kingdom to support efforts to tackle artificial intelligence-driven manipulation, fake news and other forms of foreign interference capable of disrupting Nigeria’s electoral process.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, made the appeal on Wednesday during separate meetings with the UN Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simao, and British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pete Vowles, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Amupitan described Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) as a growing threat, warning that foreign actors increasingly use indirect channels and lookalike platforms to manipulate information.
He called for international collaboration on rapid-response mechanisms, public awareness campaigns and strategies to counter the spread of misleading information ahead of the 2027 elections.
The INEC chairman said the Commission was already engaging traditional rulers and other stakeholders at local and zonal levels to educate citizens on misinformation, disinformation, information verification and the potential misuse of artificial intelligence.
Beyond information integrity, Amupitan sought UN assistance with early-warning and election-monitoring systems, dialogue among political actors to prevent violence, and programmes promoting the participation of women, young people and vulnerable groups.
He disclosed that INEC was deploying its Election Risk Management tool in collaboration with security agencies to identify and monitor areas vulnerable to electoral violence.
On preparations, the chairman said the Commission had moved from strategic planning to implementation, with the first phase of the 2027 elections scheduled for 16 January.
He disclosed that nine of the 14 key activities in the revised electoral timetable had been completed, while the National Register of Voters had risen to more than 103 million. Young people aged 18 to 34 account for nearly 29 per cent of registered voters.
The register is currently on display for claims and objections, with the final register scheduled for publication on 15 December 2026.
Amupitan also said PVC distribution was ongoing across all 774 local government areas, with collection points decentralised to ward level.
On candidate nominations, he revealed that 21 of the 22 registered political parties had submitted candidates through INEC’s nomination portal.
The submissions included 36 presidential and vice-presidential candidates from 18 parties, 4,860 National Assembly candidates, 936 governorship and deputy governorship candidates, and 9,692 State House of Assembly candidates.
He said INEC had secured 57,000 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, with shipments arriving for testing and configuration.
The Commission is also procuring ballot boxes and voting cubicles for 176,846 polling units, while arrangements are being made for expedited clearance of election materials through the Nigeria Customs Service and other port authorities.
However, the chairman appealed for additional support to expand the scope of a planned mock accreditation and election exercise, saying existing budgetary provisions could limit its effectiveness as a test of the technology and operational arrangements.
He described the recent off-cycle governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun, alongside FCT Area Council elections and 16 legislative by-elections, as important opportunities to test the Commission’s preparations.
Amupitan cited improvements in logistics, BVAS accreditation, result uploads to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, security coordination and the handling of priority voting for persons with disabilities, pregnant women and older citizens.
In his response, the UN envoy, Simao, assured INEC of the organisation’s support, stressing that elections must not become another source of insecurity for Nigeria.
“We came here with a mission, and our mission is to support you,” he said.
He disclosed that UNOWAS had consulted political parties, candidates and government institutions on Nigeria’s electoral preparedness.
Although the UN would not participate as election observers because it lacked the mandate, Simao said its presence during the polls would encourage positive conduct.
He also described a successful Nigerian election as an important example for other countries in West Africa.
Similarly, British High Commissioner Vowles said Nigeria’s democratic process had implications beyond its borders, describing the 2027 elections as an opportunity for the country to demonstrate how democracy could work in a large and diverse society.
Amupitan described the UK as one of INEC’s most reliable international partners and requested further assistance in cybersecurity, specialised training for election personnel, institutional capacity building and voter education for marginalised communities.
He maintained that protecting electoral integrity was critical not only to Nigeria but also to regional stability and economic development.
With disinformation, electoral violence and public distrust emerging as major concerns, INEC’s appeal places international cooperation at the centre of efforts to safeguard the credibility of the 2027 elections.
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