INEC Awaits ADC Court Judgment, Bans Web Cameras in Voter Registration, Approves AI Framework

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will not take any action concerning the African Democratic Congress (ADC) based on court judgments circulating on social media until the Commission officially receives and examines the relevant judgment.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, made this known on Monday, 9 November 2026, while responding to questions from journalists during a press conference at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The chairman also announced new measures to strengthen the integrity of voter registration, including a ban on the use of web cameras for capturing registration photographs, the introduction of an application-based camera system and the approval of a comprehensive Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance framework.

PulseNets reports that the Commission’s announcements come amid concerns over alleged manipulation of the voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections and growing questions about the use of artificial intelligence in electoral processes.

INEC: We Will Not Act on Social Media Reports About ADC

Addressing questions about the ADC and reports of a court judgment circulating online, Amupitan said the Commission had yet to receive the official judgment and would not rely on social media publications to make decisions.

“We don’t just act on the basis of what is on the social media,” he said.

He explained that judgments affecting the Commission’s responsibilities were normally received by the chairman, who would request professional advice from the appropriate department before the matter was presented to the Commission for consideration.

“Normally when we receive judgment like that, it comes to the Commission, it comes first to the chairman who asks for the expertise advice from the relevant department before it’s taken to the commission,” he said.

Amupitan maintained that INEC would examine the circumstances surrounding the ADC matter after receiving the official court decision.

“In this case, we are yet to receive the judgment. So the judgment is to be received and studied. I know I’m also a lawyer,” he said, adding that he would personally examine the processes filed in the case.

The chairman recalled a previous incident involving a purported Supreme Court judgment that circulated widely on social media before the Supreme Court disowned the document.

“The Supreme Court disowned itself from it, and even some people have been investigated,” he said.

INEC Bans Web Cameras in Voter Registration

On the alleged use of AI-generated photographs to manipulate the voters’ register, Amupitan disclosed that INEC had identified access points through which the registration system was allegedly compromised.

He said investigations had revealed instances where artificial intelligence was used to introduce unauthorised images into the registration process.

“We have found the number that were used through AI to infiltrate. You see, it takes just one person to compromise the password,” he said.

The chairman added that some access privileges had been granted by authorised personnel, creating opportunities for the misuse of the system.

“Some of those things are given in authority, and when that is done, you know what AI can do,” he said.

In response, the Commission directed its Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to discontinue the use of web cameras for voter registration photographs and introduce an application-based camera system.

“We have just directed the director of ICT now that our IVFs, this web camera, should not be allowed again. Instead, we should have an app camera. It is what is on the app that will take picture,” he said.

According to him, the new arrangement is intended to prevent registration personnel from importing photographs from external sources into the registration system.

“Don’t go and use any URL and begin to import pictures here and there,” he said.

“When things happen like that, you don’t want to fall into the same error.”

PulseNets learnt that the new directive forms part of INEC’s response to the complaints and irregularities identified during the 2025/2026 voter registration exercise.

Amupitan further disclosed that the Commission had thoroughly investigated complaints submitted through its internal boards, online platforms and social media.

He said several complaints had been examined and resolved to ensure fairness and establish that the Commission was not pursuing any hidden agenda.

“Most of the complaints were thoroughly investigated, just to ensure fairness and justice, and to show that there is no hidden agenda,” he said.

INEC Approves New Artificial Intelligence Governance Framework

The INEC chairman also announced the Commission’s approval of a comprehensive AI governance framework designed to regulate the responsible deployment and use of artificial intelligence in its operations.

He explained that the Commission already had an AI policy approved in 2025, before his appointment as chairman. However, the rapid development of artificial intelligence and the emerging risks associated with the technology made it necessary to establish a more comprehensive framework.

“We decided as a commission to have a comprehensive, well-laid out AI governance framework that will govern responsible deployment of AI,” he said.

According to Amupitan, the framework was jointly developed with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the United Kingdom High Commission.

He said the document had undergone peer review and was returned to the Commission for further consideration. INEC also considered the relevant ECOWAS protocol on artificial intelligence.

The chairman confirmed that the Commission approved the framework at its meeting on Monday.

“Just today, the commission also approved the AI governance framework that will improve on what we used to have,” he said.

He added that the guidelines contained safeguards to ensure that artificial intelligence was deployed appropriately and for legitimate purposes.

Security Agencies Investigating Voter Registration Irregularities

Addressing concerns about individuals involved in multiple voter registrations, Amupitan said the matter had attracted the attention of security agencies, which were conducting their own investigations.

“Everyone is concerned, including the security agencies. So the security agencies are also making their own investigations,” he said.

He reiterated that INEC personnel found culpable would face administrative and internal disciplinary measures.

Where investigations establish that criminal offences were committed, the affected individuals would also be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for prosecution.

Asked whether INEC had identified personnel involved in the irregularities, the chairman confirmed that the Commission had compiled a list.

“They are all staff of INEC, and we are taking some steps. We are not covering anything. What I told you today is the truth,” he said.

He further explained that the Commission monitored concerns raised on social media and compared the reported cases with its official voters’ register.

According to him, some of the widely circulated examples, including cases where one person’s name appeared alongside another person’s photograph, originated from previous registration exercises rather than the ongoing 2025/2026 CVR.

However, he maintained that cases arising from the current exercise and supported by digital records and other verifiable evidence would be pursued.

“Those that happen currently, that were able to have a digital log, digital evidence, must proceed against them,” he said.

INEC Cites Electoral Act Provisions on Voter Register Complaints

When asked about measures to prevent loopholes in the national register, Amupitan referred to Section 19 of the Electoral Act, explaining that the law recognises the possibility of imperfections in a register containing more than 100 million registered voters.

“The law recognizes that there could be some form of imperfections. Mind you, we are managing over 100 million registered voters. So that is why there is this gap for complaint, objections, and claims,” he said.

He explained that the statutory display and objection process was designed to enable members of the public to identify questionable entries and bring them to the Commission’s attention.

“This process is supposed to expose some of the things we are seeing now,” he said.

The chairman added that the Commission had reviewed its ICT infrastructure and cybersecurity arrangements during its meeting on Monday as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

He described the recent registration irregularities as an early warning that would help INEC strengthen its systems ahead of the elections.

“Sometimes when you see like this happen, you take it in good faith, because it’s an early warning for you to be on your guard,” he said.

Although he confirmed that the Commission was implementing additional security measures, he declined to disclose some of the details.

He said the Commission was taking important steps, “some of which we cannot begin to mention here.”

INEC Chairman Speaks on Early Voting for Journalists and Election Officials

The chairman also addressed the question of early voting for journalists, INEC officials and other Nigerians whose election-day responsibilities could prevent them from voting at their designated polling units.

Amupitan acknowledged that people assigned election-related duties also wanted to exercise their voting rights.

“Everybody would like to vote, you want to exercise your franchise,” he said.

He disclosed that INEC had proposed the introduction of early voting during the process of amending the Electoral Act, but the proposal did not receive the necessary support from the National Assembly.

“This is still not known to our law, but it’s going to still be a process of advocacy to ensure that this is done,” he said.

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The chairman added that he had continued to pursue the issue since assuming office, expressing hope that the matter would eventually receive legislative attention.

“Hopefully it will be addressed one day,” he said.

PulseNets understands that the issue of early voting remains an unresolved legislative matter, despite INEC’s recognition of the difficulties faced by journalists, electoral officials and other personnel who must work on election day.

The developments form part of INEC’s broader preparations for the 2027 general elections, particularly its efforts to improve the credibility of the national voters’ register, strengthen electoral technology and address concerns about the possible manipulation of registration processes.