The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has launched an investigation into suspected AI-generated photographs discovered in the preliminary register of voters, amid public concerns over the integrity of the database ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission said the online register published on October 26 was the same preliminary register physically displayed at Registration Areas nationwide from October 9 to 15 for public scrutiny, claims and objections, stressing that the version uploaded had not incorporated all ongoing data-cleanup activities.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said questionable registration records had been identified and flagged for further examination during the physical display exercise, adding that the commission had commenced a review to determine the appropriate corrective measures.
Haruna said INEC was also investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses, and would take appropriate action based on verified findings.
He explained that the preliminary register was not the final certified register, noting that the display exercise was designed to enable citizens and other stakeholders to identify inaccuracies, irregularities and questionable entries before the final document was approved.
According to him, the online publication represents the original preliminary register and does not reflect all the corrections and verification processes currently underway.
The development follows public concerns and reports circulating on social media over photographs suspected to have been generated using artificial intelligence and included in the register.
INEC acknowledged the role of citizens and stakeholders in drawing attention to the questionable entries, describing public scrutiny as an important part of efforts to improve the accuracy and integrity of the voters’ database.
The commission assured Nigerians that verified irregularities would be addressed in accordance with established procedures, while further updates would be provided as the investigation and data-cleanup exercise progressed.
INEC said it remained committed to completing the necessary verification, adjudication and data-cleanup processes ahead of the scheduled certification of the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.
