The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched an investigation into suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs found in Nigeria’s preliminary register of voters, raising questions about the verification of voter records ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission said it had identified questionable records during the public display of the preliminary register and had commenced a review to correct verified irregularities before the final register is certified on December 15, 2026.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the register uploaded to the commission’s website on October 26 was the same preliminary register displayed physically at Registration Areas nationwide from October 9 to 15.
He explained that the Display, Claims and Objections exercise was designed to enable members of the public to examine voter records, report inaccuracies and request corrections before the register is finalised.
According to the commission, the online version represents the original preliminary register and does not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities.
INEC said it was also investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses in the registration process. It added that appropriate action would be taken based on verified findings.
The development followed concerns raised by Nigerian political economist and professor Pat Utomi, who questioned the appearance of suspected AI-generated images on multiple voter profiles on the commission’s website.
The profiles reportedly included those bearing the names Ealefoh Oritsenoma, Ebamenbhegbe Besi, Ebhohimen Godwin, Jacob Gabriel, Maniru Noah, Matthew Isaac and Odion Bibi. The voter identification numbers displayed alongside the profiles were partially masked.
In a post on X, Utomi warned that the presence of potentially fabricated images in the electoral database could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and raise concerns about verification, transparency and accountability.
The incident has also drawn attention to INEC’s planned deployment of artificial intelligence in preparations for the 2027 elections.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, had earlier announced plans to introduce AI-powered tools to strengthen result verification and cybersecurity. He disclosed in Abuja that the commission had established a dedicated AI division within its Information and Communications Technology department.
Amupitan also said the commission was integrating automated auditing and anomaly-detection tools into its systems under an AI governance framework that would require human oversight.
The proposed use of AI has attracted criticism from the Nigeria Democratic Congress, which accused INEC of planning to manipulate the 2027 general elections in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the party questioned the timing of the proposed deployment and demanded greater scrutiny of the technology.
The allegation remains the party’s position, while INEC has said its AI initiatives are intended to improve verification and protect its systems.
INEC should go beyond identifying and removing questionable photographs by conducting a comprehensive audit of the affected voter records and explaining how the images passed through its verification process. The commission should also strengthen its registration safeguards, publish the outcome of its investigation and demonstrate that any identified lapses have been corrected before certifying the final register. Given the importance of a credible voter register to free and fair elections, transparency in resolving the issue will be essential to maintaining public confidence.
The commission has urged Nigerians and other stakeholders to participate in scrutinising the preliminary register, assuring them that verified irregularities would be addressed through established procedures.
The review is expected to be completed ahead of the scheduled certification of the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.