‘It’s not the final register’— INEC to review voter records over suspected AI-generated photos

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has commenced reviewing records of flagged inconsistencies and inaccuracies in its preliminary voter register.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mohammed Haruna, chairman of INEC’s information and voter education committee, said the commission was examining the circumstances surrounding the suspected artificial intelligence-generated (AI) photographs found in the voter register.

Haruna said the register published online on Monday was the same preliminary document displayed physically at registration areas nationwide from October 9 to 15.

“During the physical display, a number of questionable registration records were identified and flagged for further examination,” the statement reads.

“The commission commenced the process of reviewing these records and taking appropriate corrective action in accordance with established procedures.

“The online publication represents the original preliminary register and does not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities.

“It is important to emphasize that the preliminary register is not the final certified register. The display, claims and objections exercise is specifically intended to facilitate public scrutiny, identify inaccuracies and irregularities, and enable appropriate corrections before certification.”

Haruna said the preliminary register was not the final certified register, adding that the commission would take appropriate action based on verified findings and provide further updates as the review progresses.

“INEC remains committed to completing the necessary verification, adjudication, and data-cleanup processes ahead of the scheduled certification of the final register of voters on 15th December 2026,” he said.

BACK STORY

On Monday, INEC uploaded the preliminary voter register to its online platform following calls for broader public access ahead of the 2027 general election.

Haruna said the online publication followed the physical display of a preliminary register at registration areas nationwide, in line with Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2026.

Following the publication, the commission facedcriticism over irregularities in the register, including duplicate entries and suspected AI-generated photographs.

Screenshots shared by social media users showed entries from a polling unit in Etsako west LGA of Edo state, with photographs suspected to have been generated by AI.