The Implications of Deep Fakes Impact on Politics and Elections

Abstract

The rise of the internet and mobile technology has significantly altered campaign strategies and voter engagement. Nigeria's general elections have evolved with technological advancements, as seen in the 2015 and 2019 elections, which experienced various technological innovations, both positively and negatively. The 2023 elections marked a new turn with the use of deep fakes—technology that manipulates voices, images, and videos—to influence the electorate. This chapter adopts a qualitative exploratory research method to investigate the occurrences and impact of deep fake technology on Nigerian elections. It examines the implications of deep fakes on politics and elections, drawing insights from the 2015, 2019, and 2023 general elections. The study revealed that deep fakes were predominantly used in the 2023 elections for negative manipulation. These findings provide learnings and recommendations for the Nigerian electoral system as it prepares for future elections at the local, state, or federal levels.