INEC and Tech Giants Launch AI Hackathon for 2027 Elections

Rise Networks has teamed up with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Meta, Google, Microsoft, and other partners to kick off an artificial intelligence hackathon. This event aims to create tech solutions for electoral issues as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The #AI4Elections Hackathon 2026, 2027 will gather Nigerian developers, researchers, university students, electoral experts, and civil society groups. They will work together to create practical AI tools to improve electoral processes, according to a statement from the organisers shared with PREMIUM TIMES.

Participants will be vying for N10 million in cash prizes across various categories. The overall winner will take home N4 million, while the second and third place winners will receive N2.5 million and N1.5 million, respectively.

In addition, there will be four special awards of N500,000 each for outstanding projects. These will focus on research and policy innovation, electoral and civic inclusion, responsible AI and safety, and cybersecurity and resilience.

Applications for the hackathon opened on 22 October and will end on 12 November. After that, there will be a national grand finale and innovation showcase in Lagos on 16 December, followed by technical support for selected projects.

Other partners in this initiative include the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), NITHUB at the University of Lagos, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), CLEEN Foundation, Tap Initiative for Citizens’ Development, the International Press Centre, Legal Naija, Ahmadu Bello University, and the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

The MacArthur Foundation and Luminate are also supporting the programme.

The organisers stated that the competition will focus on tackling challenges like misinformation, AI-generated fake images and videos, cybersecurity threats, privacy risks, and access to reliable electoral information.

Rise Networks mentioned that this programme will combine the hackathon with an AI4Elections Development Hub. This hub will help test and refine promising solutions and will establish an Electoral Community of Practice. This community aims to keep collaboration going among innovators, researchers, mentors, and other stakeholders.

This initiative builds on Run-Am, an AI-powered misinformation detection and fact-checking mobile app developed by Rise Networks for Nigeria’s 2023 general elections.

Talking about the initiative, Rise Networks founder Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji said it aims to ensure that AI innovation strengthens Nigeria’s electoral process. She stressed the importance of protecting citizens’ rights and maintaining transparency, privacy, and human oversight.

Ms Akerele-Ogunsiji noted that Nigeria should actively use artificial intelligence to protect electoral integrity, improve access to reliable information, and boost public confidence in democratic institutions.

“Our ambition is not to introduce technology for technology’s sake,” she said. “We are committed to promoting responsible AI innovation that respects the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process, protects citizens’ rights, and prioritises transparency, privacy, and human oversight. Innovation must strengthen our democracy, not create new vulnerabilities for it.”

The competition will cover five main areas: trustworthy electoral information; electoral data analysis and decision support; inclusive and multilingual electoral and civic technology; electoral cybersecurity and resilience; and election observation and citizen accountability. Climate resilience and environmental innovation will be an optional area.

“The #AI4Elections Hackathon is specifically designed as a design and development competition,” the statement said. Participants are expected to use Artificial Intelligence and new technologies to create working solutions that address clear electoral challenges, not just submit ideas or mock-ups.

The hackathon is open to Nigerians aged 18 and above. This includes students, researchers, software developers, data scientists, cybersecurity experts, tech entrepreneurs, and civil society practitioners. Applicants can join as individuals or in teams of up to four.

The organisers noted that entries must be in English.

They also added that projects which have already won grants or awards in other competitions will not be accepted.

Entries will be assessed based on technical functionality, innovation, relevance to electoral challenges, practical usefulness, cybersecurity, privacy protection, responsible AI practices, scalability, and feasibility.

“Unauthorized testing of live electoral systems or access to institutional infrastructure is strictly prohibited. Winning the competition does not guarantee approval for operational deployment. Any future institutional pilot or deployment must meet relevant legal, institutional, technical, and security approvals,” the statement added.

“Interested applicants can find eligibility requirements and application details at ai4elections.risenetworks.org.