The Obidient Movement has rejected the proposed use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the management and verification of results for the 2027 general elections.

The movement said it was concerned about introducing AI into what it described as one of the most sensitive stages of the electoral process while the regulatory framework for the technology was still being developed.

In a statement signed by its Media and Communications Director, Onyeka Dike, the group described the proposed deployment as “reckless and unacceptable” and called on INEC to reconsider the plan.

Why The Obidient Movement Is Opposing INEC’s AI Proposal

According to the movement, INEC should not deploy AI for election-result management before establishing clear rules governing how the technology would operate.

The group argued that the priority should be to strengthen confidence in the electoral process and ensure that any technology used during the 2027 elections can be properly examined and independently verified.

The movement said INEC needed to provide a results-management system that is transparent, auditable and traceable, with results capable of being followed from individual polling units through collation to the final declaration.

It stated that Nigerians should be able to understand how election results move through each stage of the process rather than relying on a system whose operation cannot be independently examined.

Movement Calls For Greater Transparency In Results Management

The Obidient Movement also raised concerns about the electoral commission’s handling of issues associated with the 2023 elections, particularly the electronic transmission and publication of results through the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

The group argued that the difficulties experienced during the 2023 elections were not primarily caused by a shortage of technology but, in its view, by weaknesses in the wider electoral process.

It therefore called for every technology INEC plans to deploy for the 2027 elections to be covered by a clear framework that can be subjected to independent audit.

The movement further said election results should remain traceable to individual polling units and independently verifiable by political parties, election observers, journalists and citizens.

What The Group Wants INEC To Do

Among its demands, the Obidient Movement urged INEC to abandon plans to use AI in election-results collation.

It also called for the publication of Forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D and EC8E on IReV, citing what it described as commitments associated with Mundus Analytics.

The movement said the publication of polling-unit and subsequent collation records would help strengthen the ability of stakeholders to independently examine election results.

It also criticised the warning issued by INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan against announcing or declaring election results that had not been officially issued by the commission.

While acknowledging INEC’s statutory responsibility to declare official results, the group said the warning, when considered alongside its concerns about the proposed AI deployment and the regulatory framework, raised questions about the commission’s approach to the 2027 elections.

Obidient Movement Says Every Result Must Be Verifiable

The movement said the lessons from previous elections should inform how technology is deployed in 2027.

Its position is that technology should support transparency in the electoral process rather than become a substitute for clear procedures, independent verification and public accountability.

The group also urged the INEC chairman to “retrace his steps” and ensure that election outcomes are determined by voters rather than the preferences of political actors or electoral officials.

In its statement, the movement said:

“In 2027, Nigerians will not surrender their votes to technology, bureaucracy or manipulation. Every vote must count, every result must be verifiable, and the true choice of the Nigerian people must prevail.”

Key Takeaways

• The Obidient Movement has rejected INEC’s proposed use of AI in managing and verifying 2027 election results.
• The group said the regulatory framework governing the technology should be completed before deployment.
• It wants election results to be transparent, auditable and traceable to individual polling units.
• The movement also raised concerns about unresolved issues from the 2023 elections, particularly the use of IReV.
• It called for the publication of Forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D and EC8E on IReV.
• The group urged INEC to ensure that election outcomes remain determined by voters and independently verifiable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Obidient Movement rejecting INEC’s proposed use of AI?

The movement says AI should not be introduced into election-results management while the rules governing its use are still being developed. It wants a transparent and independently auditable framework before the technology is deployed.

What does the movement want from INEC?

It wants INEC to ensure that election results are transparent, auditable, traceable to polling units and independently verifiable by political parties, observers, journalists and citizens.

What is the movement’s concern about the 2023 elections?

The group pointed to difficulties surrounding the electronic transmission and publication of results through IReV. It argued that the problems were related more broadly to weaknesses in the electoral process rather than simply a lack of technology.

What did the movement say about IReV?

It called for the publication of Forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D and EC8E on the INEC Result Viewing Portal as part of measures it believes would improve transparency and verification.

What is the movement’s position on election results?

The movement says results should remain traceable to individual polling units, independently verifiable and ultimately reflective of the choices made by Nigerian voters.

As preparations for the 2027 general elections continue, the movement’s demands place renewed emphasis on how INEC intends to use technology while maintaining transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.