The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has flagged 268 AI voter records following the discovery of suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other registration irregularities ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Lawrence Bayode, disclosed the development during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics. He explained that INEC’s Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) identified the questionable entries during a review of the preliminary Register of Voters.
According to Bayode, the commission is examining all 268 records to establish the nature of the irregularities and determine the appropriate corrective measures. He added that INEC had already started cleaning up the affected entries to improve the accuracy of its electoral database.
The discovery has raised questions about the effectiveness of existing voter registration procedures, particularly as artificial intelligence tools become increasingly accessible to individuals and organisations.
How AI-Generated Photographs Entered INEC’s Voter Database
Bayode explained that some registration officers allegedly used their official login credentials to introduce questionable information into the commission’s database.
The officers reportedly had access to the registration system, which allowed them to enter voter information through authorised accounts. However, INEC discovered irregularities in some of the records when it ran its biometric identification system.
The ICT director confirmed that some photographs were generated using artificial intelligence, while others resulted from poor registration practices. This distinction means that not all the 268 flagged entries necessarily contain AI-generated images.
The controversy gained attention on October 26, when INEC uploaded its preliminary Register of Voters to its website. Nigerians subsequently circulated screenshots showing unusual photographs attached to some voter profiles, particularly in parts of Edo State.
The images raised questions about how artificial photographs entered an official electoral database and whether the registration process had adequate safeguards against manipulation.
Bayode also addressed concerns about photographs enhanced with AI-powered applications on mobile phones. He clarified that INEC would not automatically reject genuine photographs simply because someone had used artificial intelligence to improve their appearance.
Instead, the commission intends to remove photographs confirmed to have been entirely generated through AI tools. Genuine voter photographs that have only undergone enhancement will remain acceptable.
The distinction is important because artificial intelligence can improve image quality without changing the identity of the person in the photograph.
INEC Reviews Registration Procedures and Questionable Entries
Beyond the photographs, the discovery has drawn attention to possible weaknesses in the commission’s registration procedures and internal monitoring systems.
Bayode identified the alleged misuse of a special registration arrangement for persons with disabilities who have incomplete or missing fingers as another concern. The arrangement allows eligible individuals to complete registration despite certain biometric limitations.
However, the alleged exploitation of this provision raises questions about how registration officers verify information and monitor unusual activities within the system.
INEC’s preliminary register also attracted public complaints about duplicate entries and other discrepancies. These concerns have increased pressure on the commission to examine its database before completing the certification process.
In its October 27 clarification, INEC explained that the online register published a day earlier was the same preliminary document physically displayed at Registration Areas nationwide between October 9 and 15.
The commission stressed that the online publication did not reflect all the data-cleanup activities already underway. It also encouraged citizens to examine the register and report suspicious entries or incorrect information.
The exercise forms part of the Display, Claims and Objections process, which allows members of the public to identify errors before INEC certifies the final document.
Final Voter Register Expected on December 15
INEC has maintained that the preliminary register is not its final certified list of eligible voters. The commission is expected to complete its verification, adjudication and data-cleanup activities before December 15, 2026.
This process will allow officials to examine complaints, correct inaccurate information and address records that fail the required verification procedures.
The discovery of questionable AI voter records also highlights a growing challenge for electoral authorities as digital image-generation tools become more sophisticated and accessible.
Although artificial intelligence offers useful applications in several sectors, its misuse can complicate identity verification and create additional difficulties for institutions responsible for maintaining accurate public records.
For INEC, the immediate task involves establishing how the questionable entries entered its database, identifying those responsible and correcting every verified irregularity before the final register receives certification.
The commission’s investigation will also be important in determining whether existing registration safeguards require further improvements to prevent similar incidents.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the accuracy of the voter register remains central to the electoral process. INEC must therefore demonstrate that it can identify questionable entries, protect genuine registrations and maintain public confidence in its electoral database.
The outcome of the ongoing review will provide further insight into the extent of the irregularities and the measures the commission intends to introduce to strengthen its registration system.
