The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has linked the appearance of suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs in Nigeria’s preliminary voters’ register to alleged misconduct by some registration officers who had access to its database.
Dr Lawrence Bayode, INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, disclosed this during an interview on Arise TV, explaining that the commission’s internal review had identified officers suspected of using their login credentials to introduce irregular entries into the voter registration system.
The development has raised fresh concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral database ahead of the 2027 general elections, with questions emerging over how questionable records passed through the registration and verification processes.
Bayode explained that the irregularities were not limited to AI-generated photographs. According to him, some questionable images were also linked to poor registration practices rather than artificial intelligence.
He said INEC detected the problems through its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which was used to examine the database and identify irregularities in the register.
The ICT director clarified that the suspected officers were not all stationed in one location, adding that the problem did not involve the entire registration workforce.
One of the cases that attracted public attention involved records associated with a polling unit in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, where photographs believed to have been generated using AI were reportedly discovered.
The images sparked widespread reactions on social media, with Nigerians questioning the effectiveness of the commission’s safeguards and the reliability of the preliminary voters’ register.
Bayode said the commission had begun cleaning up its database before releasing the preliminary register, adding that the exercise was being conducted within the statutory period allowed for reviewing voters’ records.
However, he did not establish the motives behind the alleged actions of the officers involved or confirm whether every disputed entry had been resolved.
INEC published its preliminary register online on October 26, 2026, following the nationwide physical display of the register from October 9 to 15. The publication was intended to give Nigerians and other stakeholders an opportunity to scrutinise the records and raise concerns about questionable entries.
The commission is expected to continue processing claims and objections before finalising the register ahead of the 2027 elections.
The latest disclosure places renewed attention on the need for stronger internal controls, effective monitoring of registration officers and transparent verification procedures to protect the credibility of the electoral process.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, Nigerians will be watching closely to see how INEC addresses the irregularities, whether appropriate disciplinary measures will follow and what safeguards will be introduced to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The central question remains: Can INEC restore public confidence in the voters’ register before Nigerians head to the polls in 2027?
