The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified 268 questionable records in its preliminary Register of Voters, with some registration officers allegedly linked to the introduction of artificial intelligence generated photographs and other irregularities into the electoral database.
The Commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Dr Lawrence Bayode, disclosed this during an interview on Arise Television, explaining that some registration officers allegedly exploited their access to INEC’s registration system to introduce questionable information into the database.
Bayode said the Commission uncovered the irregularities through its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which flagged suspicious records for further examination.
According to him, some registration officers allegedly used their official login credentials to introduce irregularities into the registration process, adding that the cases were identified across different states.
He explained that while some of the photographs attached to the questionable records were generated using artificial intelligence, others resulted from poor registration practices.
“We have registration officers on the field. And these registration officers, they have login details to log into the system.
“So what we have found is that some of these registration officers, not all of them now, some of them across the states nationwide, they’ve done different things to bring these irregularities onto the register,” Bayode said.
He added that the Commission had identified how some of the questionable records entered the system, although the reasons behind the alleged actions of the officers remained unclear.
“Some of these pictures are AI-generated. Some of them not AI-generated, but very bad registration. And this thing got into the register by the registration officers and because they have access to register people,” he stated.
Providing further details on the ongoing exercise, Bayode disclosed on November 1 that INEC’s Automated Biometric Identification System had flagged 268 records suspected to contain AI-generated photographs or other registration irregularities.
He said the Commission had commenced the process of examining the flagged records and removing entries confirmed to be irregular.
Bayode, however, clarified that not every photograph processed with artificial intelligence would automatically be excluded from the register.
According to him, there is a difference between photographs entirely generated by AI and genuine photographs improved through AI-powered enhancement features available on mobile phones.
He explained that genuine photographs enhanced with AI tools would not necessarily disqualify a voter, while entirely AI-generated photographs attached to questionable registration records would be removed following verification.
The ICT director also disclosed that some individuals allegedly exploited a special registration option designed for persons with disabilities, particularly those with missing fingers or no fingers, to create questionable profiles.
The development follows public concerns that emerged after INEC uploaded its preliminary Register of Voters to its website on October 26, 2026.
The publication attracted attention after screenshots circulated on social media showing suspicious photographs attached to voter records, including entries reportedly linked to parts of Edo State.
The concerns also extended to alleged duplicate registrations and complaints by some registered voters who claimed that their details were missing from the online register.
In response, INEC, through its Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, acknowledged on October 27 that questionable records had been identified and flagged for further examination.
The Commission explained that the online publication was the same preliminary register physically displayed at Registration Areas nationwide between October 9 and 15 as part of the Display, Claims and Objections exercise.
It maintained that the online publication did not reflect all the data cleanup activities already underway and stressed that the preliminary register was not the final certified version.
INEC also assured Nigerians that the identified irregularities would be addressed through verification and corrective procedures before the final register is certified.
The Commission has scheduled December 15, 2026, for the certification of the final Register of Voters, following the completion of its verification, adjudication and data-cleanup processes.
The development has renewed questions about the safeguards protecting Nigeria’s electoral database and the level of access granted to officials responsible for voter registration.
Although INEC has acknowledged the irregularities and commenced a review of the affected records, the full number of confirmed fraudulent entries, the identities of the officers allegedly involved and the disciplinary measures that may follow have not been publicly established in the reports reviewed.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the Commission’s ability to address the identified concerns and ensure the accuracy of the final register remains a major issue for voters and other electoral stakeholders.
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