INEC Virtual Assistant: What it is and how you can use it to educate yourself about the voting process

On Saturday, February 25, 2023, Nigerians will go to the polls to elect a new president. Many of them, however, still have questions about the voting process and what to expect at the polling places where they will exercise their voting rights. 

INEC says it has made a virtual assistant available to provide all election day training materials to you in real time on your smartphone. INECTrainingBot, as it is called, is an AI-powered chatbot that can provide prospective voters with the useful information they need before and during the day of the election.

The INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) Training Bot or virtual assistant can perform various tasks related to voter education and training. Some of its capabilities include:

1. Answering Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): The INEC Training Bot can respond to common questions about election processes, voting procedures, and other related topics.
2. Providing Information on Election Dates and Polling Locations: The virtual assistant can give details about the date and location of upcoming elections and polling stations.
3. Assisting with information regarding PVC: The bot can guide you to learn more about the features and functions of the Permanent Voter’s Card.
4. Providing Voter Education: The virtual assistant can educate voters on their rights and responsibilities, such as the importance of voting and the types of elections and candidates they can vote for.
5. Assisting with Electoral Officer Training: The INEC Training Bot can provide training modules and quizzes to electoral officers to ensure they are prepared for their duties during elections.

Overall, the INEC Training Bot or virtual assistant is designed to make it easier for voters and electoral officers to access information and receive training, ultimately improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the electoral process.

How to use the INEC’s virtual assistant or TrainingBot

1. Follow this link which will take directly to the Telegram chat with the INEC Training Bot or virtual assistant.
2. At first, you’ll be asked to provide your phone number and full name. More like you setting up an account for record purposes.
3. Then follow the prompts provided by the bot to get the assistance you need. The bot will provide automated responses based on the questions you ask.

Note: If the AI chatbot is not able to provide a satisfactory answer or solution, it may redirect you to the videos and text materials (PDF) that will teach you everything they need to know about the election.

Voters in Nigeria need a clear picture of the electoral voting process to effectively carry out their civic duties while choosing their preferred leaders. Voters and party representatives alike should keep a close eye on the actions of any and all poll workers in their vicinity.