INEC investigates suspicious AI-generated photos in voters’ register

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched a review of suspicious photographs suspected to be AI-generated in Nigeria’s preliminary register of voters, promising corrective action against verified irregularities ahead of the certification of the final register in December.

The commission said the photographs were among concerns raised on social media following the publication of the preliminary register on its website on October 26, 2026.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, explained that the online register was the same preliminary document displayed physically at Registration Areas nationwide between October 9 and 15.

He said questionable registration records had been identified and flagged for further examination during the physical display exercise, prompting the commission to begin reviewing the affected records and taking appropriate corrective measures.

INEC clarified that the online version represented the original preliminary register and did not incorporate all ongoing data-cleanup activities.

The commission stressed that the preliminary register was not the final certified register, noting that the Display, Claims and Objections exercise was designed to allow members of the public to scrutinise voter records, identify errors and irregularities, and facilitate corrections before certification.

It also disclosed that it was examining the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses that may have contributed to their appearance in the register.

INEC said appropriate action would be taken based on verified findings, adding that the review and correction process would follow established procedures.

The commission commended Nigerians and other stakeholders who raised concerns about the photographs, saying public scrutiny was important to improving the accuracy and integrity of the voters’ register.

INEC said it remained committed to completing the necessary verification, adjudication and data-cleanup processes before the final Register of Voters is certified on December 15, 2026.

It assured Nigerians that verified irregularities would be addressed and that further updates would be provided as the review progresses.