The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched an investigation into suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs found in Nigeria’s preliminary voters’ register, promising to correct verified irregularities before certifying the final list on December 15, 2026.
The commission said it had identified and flagged questionable records during the physical display of the preliminary register at registration areas nationwide.
However, it explained that the online version published on October 26 did not reflect its ongoing data-cleanup activities.
INEC disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, following public concerns over suspicious photographs in the register.
According to the commission, the online register is the same preliminary list displayed nationwide from October 9 to 15 during the Display, Claims and Objections exercise.
The exercise allows members of the public to inspect voter records, identify errors and report suspected irregularities before the final register is certified.
INEC clarified that the published list remained the original preliminary register and did not incorporate all ongoing corrections.
The commission stressed that the preliminary register was not the final certified list, adding that questionable records were being reviewed in line with established procedures.
INEC said it was investigating how the suspicious photographs entered the register, including whether technical or procedural lapses contributed to the problem.
It promised to take appropriate action based on verified findings and address confirmed irregularities through the relevant procedures.
The commission also welcomed concerns raised by Nigerians and other stakeholders, describing public scrutiny as an important part of efforts to improve the accuracy and integrity of the voters’ register.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to completing the necessary verification, adjudication and data-cleanup processes before publishing the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.
The investigation follows public outcry over photographs suspected of being AI-generated in the register released online on October 26.
The commission has yet to establish publicly, in the statement, the precise circumstances behind the suspicious images. Its findings are expected to determine whether the records resulted from technical failures, procedural lapses or other causes.
