The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has flagged 268 records in its preliminary Register of Voters over suspected artificial intelligence generated photographs and other irregularities ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode, disclosed the development during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme on November 1. Bayode explained that INEC’s Automated Biometric Identification System ABIS had identified the questionable entries for further examination, prompting the commission to begin reviewing and correcting the affected records. The discovery follows public concern over unusual photographs and alleged duplicate registrations appearing in the preliminary voters’ register recently published online.
According to Bayode, the commission is examining all 268 flagged records to determine which contain artificially generated photographs, irregular biometric information or other registration anomalies. He explained that the automated verification system was designed to detect suspicious records and prevent irregular entries from being included in the final voter database. The ICT director confirmed that corrective work had already commenced, with records found to be invalid being addressed through the commission’s established procedures. However, the figure of 268 refers to all records flagged for examination, not necessarily 268 confirmed cases of AI-generated photographs. INEC must complete its verification process before determining the precise nature of each irregularity and the appropriate action to take.
INEC uses biometric registration and verification systems to establish voter identities and detect suspicious records.
Bayode further disclosed that some registration officers allegedly used their official login credentials to introduce questionable voter profiles into the commission’s database. He explained that the irregularities appeared in different forms, including suspicious photographs and registration information that did not comply with established procedures. The commission also identified alleged misuse of a special registration option intended for people with disabilities who have missing or incomplete fingers. The provision was designed to accommodate eligible voters who may be unable to provide standard fingerprint information during registration. According to Bayode, some individuals exploited this arrangement to create questionable profiles, highlighting possible weaknesses in the registration process and the need for stronger internal controls.
The ICT director made an important distinction between photographs generated entirely through artificial intelligence and genuine photographs enhanced by AI-powered applications. He explained that mobile phones sometimes use artificial intelligence to improve image clarity, lighting and other visual qualities, which does not automatically make a photograph fraudulent. Consequently, voters whose authentic photographs have merely been enhanced by legitimate phone applications would not be removed from the register solely because of such enhancements. INEC intends to remove confirmed artificial identities and other invalid records rather than exclude eligible citizens whose photographs have undergone routine digital processing. This distinction is particularly important because incorrectly classifying genuine photographs as fraudulent could result in the wrongful exclusion of legitimate voters.
Public scrutiny of preliminary voter registers enables citizens to identify errors and questionable records before certification.
The controversy began after INEC uploaded its preliminary Register of Voters to its website on October 26, 2026. Shortly afterwards, screenshots circulated on social media showing voter profiles with unusual facial images, particularly entries associated with polling units in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State. Some observers questioned whether the photographs represented real individuals, while others raised concerns about duplicate registrations and the possible inclusion of deceased persons. The images generated widespread discussion about the credibility of the registration database and the safeguards used to verify voter identities. INEC subsequently acknowledged the concerns and announced that the questionable records were under investigation, although the full extent of any confirmed manipulation has not yet been established.
In an official clarification issued on October 27, INEC explained that the online register was the same preliminary document displayed physically at Registration Areas nationwide between October 9 and 15, 2026. The commission stressed that the publication did not reflect all the data-cleanup activities already underway and should not be mistaken for the final certified list of eligible voters. According to INEC, the display, claims and objections exercise is intended to allow citizens, political parties and other stakeholders to examine registration details, identify discrepancies and request corrections before the final register is approved. The commission maintained that questionable entries identified during the physical display had already been flagged for examination, while additional reports from the public were being considered as part of the verification process.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, also addressed the controversy during a South-South zonal interactive meeting with commission staff in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday, October 31. He confirmed that the commission was examining the suspicious records and would take corrective action based on verified findings. The development has also attracted criticism from political stakeholders and civil society organisations demanding greater transparency in voter registration and database management. Political economist Professor Pat Utomi expressed concern about the implications of artificial images appearing in the register, while the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre questioned the effectiveness of existing verification procedures. These reactions reflect broader concerns about electoral credibility, although the discovery of questionable registration entries does not, by itself, establish that votes have been fraudulently cast or that election results have been manipulated.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has also called for an investigation into the suspected irregularities, raising concerns about the protection of voters’ personal information and the integrity of the electoral database. In its intervention on November 1, the organisation urged the authorities to examine whether the circumstances surrounding the suspicious entries involved violations of applicable data protection requirements. SERAP highlighted the responsibilities of institutions handling sensitive personal information, including biometric records collected during voter registration. Its concerns extend beyond the existence of unusual photographs to questions about access controls, record verification and accountability for those authorised to manage election data. The allegations remain subject to investigation, and no conclusion of criminal responsibility should be drawn without verified evidence.
Accurate voter registration remains an important requirement for credible elections and the protection of eligible citizens’ voting rights.
The latest controversy highlights the increasing challenges created by artificial intelligence and digital manipulation in electoral administration. AI tools can produce realistic human faces and alter existing photographs, making it more difficult to distinguish authentic registration images from fabricated ones through visual inspection alone. Biometric verification systems, database audits and controlled access to registration platforms therefore remain important safeguards. However, technological tools also require effective human oversight to prevent errors and protect legitimate voters from wrongful exclusion. Nigeria has previously faced concerns about duplicate registrations and inaccuracies in electoral records, making continuous verification an established part of the registration process. The current investigation will test how effectively INEC can identify suspicious entries while preserving the registration rights of qualified citizens.
As of November 2, 2026, INEC has confirmed that 268 voter records have been flagged for examination over suspected AI-generated photographs and other irregularities. The commission has commenced corrective measures and is investigating how questionable profiles entered its registration database, including alleged misuse of official credentials and special registration provisions. INEC has scheduled December 15, 2026, for the certification of the final Register of Voters, giving the commission a defined period to complete verification, adjudication and data-cleanup activities. The outcome of these investigations, together with transparent communication and reliable safeguards against future irregularities, will be important to public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections. For Nigerian voters, the central issue is ensuring that the final register accurately reflects eligible citizens without including fabricated identities or excluding genuine voters.
