INEC speaks on suspicious photos in voter register

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it is investigating suspicious photographs, including those suspected to be AI-generated, that appeared in the preliminary voter register it recently published on its website.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Mohammed Haruna, INEC said it had identified and flagged some questionable registration records during the physical display of the preliminary register at Registration Areas nationwide from 9 to 15 October.

The commission said it had begun reviewing the records and taking corrective action in line with established procedures.

The statement followed public concerns and social media reports about suspected AI-generated photographs in the register published online on 26 October.

INEC said the online register was the same preliminary register displayed physically across the country during the Display, Claims and Objections exercise. It explained that the online version did not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities.

“The commission is also examining the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses, and will take appropriate action based on verified findings,” the statement said.

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The commission emphasised that the preliminary register was not the final certified register, adding that the display exercise was designed to allow members of the public to scrutinise the records, identify inaccuracies and irregularities, and facilitate corrections before certification.

INEC said it appreciated citizens and stakeholders who drew attention to suspected irregularities, describing public scrutiny as important to improving the voter register’s accuracy and integrity.

The commission assured Nigerians that verified irregularities would be addressed through the applicable procedures and that it would provide further updates as the review progressed.

It said the verification, adjudication and data-cleanup processes would be completed ahead of the scheduled certification of the final register of voters on 15 December 2026.

The publication of the preliminary register is part of INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general election. The exercise allows registered voters and other stakeholders to review the records and flag errors or questionable entries before the commission certifies the final register.