The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified 268 questionable entries in its preliminary Register of Voters over suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other irregularities as part of efforts to sanitise the database ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission said its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) detected the suspicious records, which are currently undergoing further scrutiny to determine their authenticity and ensure that irregular entries are removed before the final register is certified.
INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Lawrence Bayode, disclosed this on Sunday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
Bayode explained that some of the irregularities might have resulted from the exploitation of special registration provisions originally designed to accommodate persons with disabilities, particularly those with incomplete or missing fingers.
He said the registration option was allegedly manipulated by some individuals to create questionable voter profiles.
“What we are currently doing now is looking at all these 268 records that ABIS already flagged as AI-generated or even something of irregularities,” he said.
The ICT director confirmed that the commission had begun removing entries found to be fraudulent after the ongoing examination.
“Those that we have seen, we are cleaning up,” Bayode stated.
He, however, clarified that the use of artificial intelligence applications to enhance genuine photographs would not automatically disqualify voters from the register.
According to him, INEC’s concern is with photographs generated entirely through artificial intelligence rather than authentic pictures that have merely undergone digital enhancement.
“Those that we know it is the AI on the phone that helped enhance their pictures, we can’t exclude such people because it was the AI on the phone that does that. Such people will still be on the register, but those AI-generated photographs, all these will be removed. We are already looking at them,” he explained.
The development followed the publication of the preliminary voters’ register on the commission’s website on October 26, which generated widespread criticism after images of suspicious voter photographs circulated on social media, particularly in parts of Edo State.
The controversy also exposed other concerns, including alleged multiple registrations, the appearance of deceased persons’ names in the database and complaints by some registered voters that their personal details were missing from the online register.
The allegations triggered reactions from political leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, who demanded explanations from the electoral body over the integrity of the registration exercise.
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Rabiu Kwankwaso, called for an independent and transparent investigation into the alleged manipulation of the register.
In a statement posted on his X account, Kwankwaso said the commission must go beyond issuing assurances and make the outcome of its investigation available to Nigerians.
“While I welcome INEC’s decision to investigate the matter, Nigerians deserve more than assurances. The investigation must be thorough, transparent and independent, with its findings made public and any individuals found culpable held accountable in accordance with the law,” he said.
He also urged INEC to verify questionable entries and investigate possible cases of duplicate registrations and artificial identities to prevent eligible voters from being disenfranchised.
Similarly, political economist Pat Utomi warned that the discovery of suspected AI-generated photographs in the voters’ database had raised serious questions about the commission’s verification procedures.
In a post on X, Utomi said the electoral body must treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves, given its implications for public confidence in the electoral process.
“INEC cannot afford to be careless with the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process. The presence of AI-generated images in a register meant to support our democracy raises serious questions about verification, transparency and accountability. Our democracy is at stake here!” he stated.
The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Moses Paul, also demanded an explanation from the commission, questioning how artificial intelligence-generated images were accepted into a database intended to authenticate eligible voters.
“Our democracy is under threat! INEC must explain how AI-generated images found their way into a register meant to protect our electoral process. Who verified these records, and who is accountable?” he queried.
Paul insisted that the commission must not remain silent over an issue capable of undermining confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
Also expressing concern, the Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, Clement Nwankwo, questioned the reliability of the voters’ register and warned that unresolved discrepancies could undermine the credibility of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Nwankwo raised concerns over the increase in the number of registered voters from more than 90 million to 103 million, calling for greater scrutiny of the figures and the processes used to verify the entries.
“Technology has of course come forward, and now what we see is what is now referred to as AI-generated information and photographs that have been inserted into the voter register,” he said.
He urged INEC to strengthen its communication with political parties and provide more information about its preparations for the forthcoming elections.
Nwankwo further warned that weaknesses in voter registration and polling unit transfer procedures could prevent eligible Nigerians from exercising their franchise.
Meanwhile, INEC had earlier defended the release of the preliminary register, explaining that the online version published on October 26 was the same document displayed physically at Registration Areas across the country between October 9 and 15.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the commission explained that the online publication did not capture all the data-cleaning exercises already being undertaken.
It stressed that the preliminary register was not the final certified voters’ list, noting that the Display, Claims and Objections exercise was specifically designed to allow citizens to identify errors, report suspicious entries and request necessary corrections before the final document is approved.
The commission also disclosed that it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the appearance of the questionable photographs, including possible technical and procedural lapses, adding that appropriate action would follow the outcome of its findings.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has equally assured Nigerians that the commission is examining the affected records and would implement corrective measures based on verified findings.
The electoral body is expected to conclude its verification, adjudication and data-cleaning processes before certifying the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.
