IMPERATIVES OF AI TO THE CONDUCT OF A FREE, FAIR, AND CREDIBLE ELECTION IN AFRICA

Abstract

The conduct of free, fair, and credible elections is the global benchmark for maintaining the integrity and legitimacy of electoral processes; however, this continues to be a significant challenge in Africa due to factors such as political instability, a lack of resources, and historical legacies of authoritarian rule. Although some African nations have deployed technologies such as the Biometric Voter
Authentication System (BVAS) to assist minimize these issues, the challenges appear to be ubiquitous, prompting a need for the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI). AI has the potential to dramatically influence the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections in Africa by improving different facets of the electoral process. AI technology can help with voter registration, education, election monitoring, fraud detection, and result tabulation. Election management authorities and stakeholders may increase electoral transparency, efficiency, and accountability by utilizing AI technologies and algorithms. Using a mix-method approach, this paper examines how AI technologies can help to improve various aspects of the electoral process, such as voter registration and education, monitoring, fraud detection, and result tabulation, and concludes that AI has the potential to revolutionize election administration in Africa by increasing transparency, efficiency, and credibility. The use of artificial intelligence in guaranteeing free, fair, and trustworthy elections is critical to the continent's democratic process. Addressing election difficulties front on, African countries will strive to develop more democratic and accountable government institutions that represent their citizens' wishes.