The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that it is currently investigating suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs that were spotted within the preliminary voters’ register published on its official website.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, the Commission said it was examining the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses.
INEC added that appropriate action would be taken based on verified findings.
The Commission explained that the register published online on Monday, 26 October, was the same preliminary register physically displayed at Registration Areas nationwide between 9 and 15 October as part of the Display, Claims and Objections exercise.
According to INEC, questionable registration records were identified and flagged during the physical display, prompting a review and the commencement of corrective measures in line with established procedures.
It clarified that the online publication represented the original preliminary register and did not reflect all ongoing data-cleaning activities.
INEC stressed that the preliminary register was not the final certified Register of Voters, noting that the display exercise was designed to allow public scrutiny, identify inaccuracies and irregularities, and facilitate corrections before certification.
“The Commission appreciates the vigilance of citizens and stakeholders who have brought these concerns to public attention,” the statement said, adding that such scrutiny would help improve the accuracy and integrity of the register.
The electoral body assured Nigerians that verified irregularities would be addressed through established procedures and that further updates would be provided as the review progressed.
INEC said it remained committed to completing the necessary verification, adjudication and data-cleaning processes ahead of the scheduled certification of the final Register of Voters on 15 December 2026.
The statement was signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC).
What You Should Know
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched an investigation after discovering suspected AI-generated photos in its online preliminary voters’ register. The electoral body clarified that this online list is the same register previously displayed physically for public scrutiny, and ongoing data-cleaning measures are in place to weed out irregularities ahead of the final certification on December 15, 2026.
- Positive Impact: Public scrutiny and active citizen vigilance help flag errors early, leading to a more accurate and credible voters’ register before the elections.
- Potential Concerns: The discovery of artificial intelligence tampering raises concerns about data integrity, cyber security, and potential attempts to manipulate the voter registration database.
