The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has flagged 268 voter registration records for review ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The action follows the discovery of suspected artificial intelligence (AI)-generated photographs and other data irregularities in the preliminary Register of Voters.
The discrepancy came to light after the commission published the preliminary voter database online.
Civil society groups and social media users quickly pointed out highly unusual entries, sharing screenshots of what appeared to be synthetic, digitally manipulated, or identical photographs attached to multiple voter profiles.
INEC ICT Director Lawrence Bayode had during a broadcast interview earlier noted that the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) flagged the 268 records.
Bayode said some individuals allegedly exploited a special registration arrangement designed for persons with disabilities who have incomplete fingers or no fingers to create questionable voter profiles.
He added that some registration officers might have abused their system access to introduce irregular records.
The commission has commenced the process of reviewing and cleaning up the affected entries.
However, Bayode clarified that genuine photographs enhanced with AI-powered applications would not automatically disqualify voters. Only photographs established to have been entirely AI-generated would be removed.
Meanwhile, Information and Voter Education Committee Chairman Mohammed Kudu Haruna announced a probe into whether the issue arose from technical or procedural flaws.
This incident raises cybersecurity concerns shortly after INEC proposed using AI to bolster database security, highlighting potential system vulnerabilities.
INEC emphasized that the list is preliminary and subject to ongoing cleaning.
The development has attracted criticism from political leaders and civil society figures.
Nigeria Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso has called for a thorough, transparent and independent investigation, while political economist Pat Utomi questioned the commission’s verification and accountability mechanisms.
The concerns also extend to the accuracy of the overall voter database, including reports of missing voter details and questions about the increase in registered voters.
These issues have intensified demands for stronger safeguards and greater transparency in the electoral registration process.
INEC has maintained that the published register is preliminary, not the final certified version.
The Display, Claims and Objections exercise is intended to enable eligible voters and members of the public to identify errors, challenge questionable entries and request necessary corrections before certification.
The commission is expected to complete its verification, adjudication and data-cleanup exercises before certifying the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.
The credibility of that process will be crucial to restoring public confidence and protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
INEC Flags 268 Voter Records Over AI-Generated Photos, Irregularities Ahead of 2027 Elections
By The Insight Lens Project Political Intelligence Desk TheInsightLensProject.com
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has flagged 268 records in its preliminary Register of Voters over suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other irregularities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Lawrence Bayode, disclosed this during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, explaining that the commission’s Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) had identified the questionable records for further investigation.
Bayode said some individuals allegedly exploited a special registration arrangement designed for persons with disabilities who have incomplete fingers or no fingers to create questionable voter profiles.
He added that some registration officers might have abused their system access to introduce irregular records.
The commission has commenced the process of reviewing and cleaning up the affected entries.
However, Bayode clarified that genuine photographs enhanced with AI-powered applications would not automatically disqualify voters. Only photographs established to have been entirely AI-generated would be removed.
The controversy followed the online publication of INEC’s preliminary Register of Voters on October 26, 2026.
Screenshots circulating on social media raised concerns over suspicious photographs, particularly in parts of Edo State, alongside allegations of duplicate registrations and the inclusion of deceased persons.
The development has attracted criticism from political leaders and civil society figures.
Nigeria Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso has called for a thorough, transparent and independent investigation, while political economist Pat Utomi questioned the commission’s verification and accountability mechanisms.
The concerns also extend to the accuracy of the overall voter database, including reports of missing voter details and questions about the increase in registered voters.
These issues have intensified demands for stronger safeguards and greater transparency in the electoral registration process.
INEC has maintained that the published register is preliminary, not the final certified version.
The Display, Claims and Objections exercise is intended to enable eligible voters and members of the public to identify errors, challenge questionable entries and request necessary corrections before certification.
The commission is expected to complete its verification, adjudication and data-cleanup exercises before certifying the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.
The credibility of that process will be crucial to restoring public confidence and protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
