The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained that the preliminary register of voters published on its website contains the original records displayed physically across the country earlier in October, amid public concerns over suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs in the database.
The commission said the online register, published on October 26, 2026, did not reflect all ongoing efforts to identify and correct questionable registration records flagged during the physical display exercise.
INEC also said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses, and would take appropriate action based on verified findings.
The clarification came after concerns emerged on social media over photographs suspected to have been generated using artificial intelligence appearing in the preliminary register of voters.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the register published online was the same preliminary register displayed at Registration Areas nationwide from October 9 to 15.
The exercise was part of the commission’s Display, Claims and Objections process, which allows voters and other members of the public to scrutinise the register and report inaccuracies or irregularities before the final register is certified.
“During the physical display, a number of questionable registration records were identified and flagged for further examination. The Commission commenced the process of reviewing these records and taking appropriate corrective action in accordance with established procedures,” the statement said.
INEC explained that the online publication represented the original preliminary register and did not incorporate all the data-cleanup activities already underway.
It stressed that the preliminary register was not the final certified register, adding that the ongoing review process was designed to identify and correct irregularities before certification.
“The Display, Claims and Objections exercise is specifically intended to facilitate public scrutiny, identify inaccuracies and irregularities, and enable appropriate corrections before certification,” the commission said.
The commission’s clarification suggests that the questionable records identified during the physical display had been flagged for further examination, although it did not disclose the number of affected records or provide details of the suspected AI-generated photographs.
INEC also did not identify the source of the photographs or establish whether their appearance resulted from deliberate manipulation, technical errors or lapses in the registration process.
However, the commission said it was examining the circumstances surrounding the photographs, including possible failures in its technical systems or administrative procedures.
It promised to take appropriate action after establishing the facts.
INEC welcomed the public scrutiny that brought the issue to attention, saying citizens and stakeholders had an important role to play in improving the accuracy and integrity of the voters’ register.
The development has drawn attention to the importance of verifying voter registration records ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly as the commission works to ensure that the final register is accurate and credible.
A reliable voters’ register is central to the electoral process because it determines who is eligible to vote and provides the basis for organising elections across the country.
INEC said it remained committed to completing the necessary verification, adjudication and data-cleanup processes before the scheduled certification of the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.
“The Commission assures Nigerians that verified irregularities will be addressed through the applicable procedures and that further updates will be provided as the review progresses,” Haruna said.
The commission’s statement did not indicate whether any officials had been sanctioned or whether the investigation had established responsibility for the appearance of the suspicious photographs.
INEC said further updates would be provided as the review progressed.
