INEC Uncovers AI-Generated Photos, Fake Entries In Voters’ Register, Blames Registration Officers
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has uncovered irregularities, including artificial intelligence-generated photographs and questionable voter records, in its preliminary Register of Voters, raising fresh concerns over the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral database ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Bayode, disclosed that some registration officers across the country were responsible for introducing irregularities into the voters’ register through questionable registration practices.
He explained that while some suspicious photographs were generated using artificial intelligence, others resulted from poor registration procedures.
According to him, the commission discovered the irregularities after running its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) on the register.
Bayode said INEC had identified the questionable records and understood how some of the irregularities occurred, although he expressed uncertainty over the motives of the officers involved.
The disclosure follows public outrage over suspicious photographs and other anomalies discovered after INEC uploaded its preliminary voters’ register to its website on October 26.
Screenshots circulated on social media reportedly showed AI-generated photographs attached to voter records in parts of Edo State.
Other complaints included alleged duplicate registrations and reports by some voters that their details were missing from the online register.
INEC had earlier acknowledged the concerns, saying questionable records identified during the physical display exercise had been flagged for review and corrective action.
The commission, however, clarified that the online register was preliminary and did not represent the final certified voters’ database.
INEC is expected to conclude its verification, adjudication and data-cleanup exercises before certifying the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.
INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Bayode, disclosed that some registration officers across the country were responsible for introducing irregularities into the voters’ register through questionable registration practices.
He explained that while some suspicious photographs were generated using artificial intelligence, others resulted from poor registration procedures.
According to him, the commission discovered the irregularities after running its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) on the register.
Bayode said INEC had identified the questionable records and understood how some of the irregularities occurred, although he expressed uncertainty over the motives of the officers involved.
The disclosure follows public outrage over suspicious photographs and other anomalies discovered after INEC uploaded its preliminary voters’ register to its website on October 26.
Screenshots circulated on social media reportedly showed AI-generated photographs attached to voter records in parts of Edo State.
Other complaints included alleged duplicate registrations and reports by some voters that their details were missing from the online register.
INEC had earlier acknowledged the concerns, saying questionable records identified during the physical display exercise had been flagged for review and corrective action.
The commission, however, clarified that the online register was preliminary and did not represent the final certified voters’ database.
INEC is expected to conclude its verification, adjudication and data-cleanup exercises before certifying the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.
