The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a review of suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs discovered in the preliminary register of voters published on its website.
The commission said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspicious images, including possible technical or procedural lapses, and would take appropriate action based on verified findings.
In a statement issued by the Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC clarified that the preliminary register published online on October 26, 2026, was the same version physically displayed at Registration Areas nationwide from October 9 to 15.
The display was part of the commission’s Display, Claims and Objections exercise, designed to enable citizens to scrutinise the register and report inaccuracies or irregularities before its final certification.
INEC disclosed that several questionable registration records had been identified and flagged for further examination during the physical display exercise.
It explained, however, that the online publication contained the original preliminary register and did not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities.
The commission stressed that the preliminary register was not the final certified register, noting that the review process was specifically designed to identify irregularities and facilitate necessary corrections before certification.
INEC appreciated citizens and stakeholders who drew attention to the suspected AI-generated photographs, describing public scrutiny as an important part of efforts to improve the accuracy and integrity of the voters’ register.
The electoral body assured Nigerians that verified irregularities would be addressed in accordance with established procedures and that further updates would be provided as the review progressed.
It reaffirmed its commitment 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.
