*Partners Google, Microsoft to deploy AI cyber defense and upgraded BVAS
*Proposes real-time fact-checking pact with digital publishers to combat election fake news
WorldStage– The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will officially launch the nationwide collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) on Friday, October 9, 2026, targeting a record 103 million registered citizens ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Thursday in Lagos at the 10th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, called on online publishers to mobilize citizens across the 36 states and the FCT to pick up their cards at designated Local Government and ward collection centers.
The distribution exercise leverages the commission’s newly deployed Printable PVC technology, following the completion of a three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) drive that added over 10.6 million new voters to the national database.
Amupitan confirmed that with 98 days remaining until the presidential polls on January 16, 2027, the electoral umpire has executed 9 out of 14 key statutory milestones outlined in its official timetable.
PARTNERS GOOGLE, MICROSOFT
In a bid to prevent manual alteration and database intrusion ahead of the 2027 general elections, he said INEC had integrated automated AI data-auditing tools and multi-layered firewalls in strategic partnership with global tech giants Google and Microsoft.
Amupitan revealed that the commission’s Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices have undergone hardware optimization, extended battery calibration, and firmware hardening to ensure instant facial and fingerprint verification.
Under the enhanced eEC8A protocol, polling unit result sheets will be cryptographically signed and transmitted directly to the public viewing portal immediately after counting to eliminate tampering at intermediate collation points.
REAL-TIME FACT-CHECKING PACT WITH DIGITAL PUBLISHERS
To counter coordinated fake news campaigns, synthetic media, and AI-generated deepfakes ahead of the 2027 general elections, the INEC charman also proposed a formal three-point operational pact with corporate online publishers.
He offered media houses direct, real-time access to a dedicated digital fact-verification desk during the election period.
The initiative aims to allow journalists to confirm field incidents, logistical delays, and security reports directly with election officials before publication, curbing false declarations of systemic failure.
In exchange, Amupitan urged publishers to reject clickbait journalism, enforce editorial self-regulation against unverified polling unit results, and amplify public awareness for the nationwide PVC collection exercise launching Friday, October 9.
