INEC CLARIFIES CONTROVERSY OVER SUSPECTED AI-GENERATED VOTER PHOTOS

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has noted public concerns and reports circulating on social media regarding suspected AI-generated photographs appearing in the Preliminary Register of Voters recently published on its website.

The Commission wishes to clarify that the register published online on 26 October 2026 is the same preliminary register physically displayed at Registration Areas (RAs) nationwide from 9th to 15th October 2026 as part of the Display, Claims and Objections exercise.

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 online publication represents the original preliminary register and does not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities.

It is important to emphasize that the preliminary register is not the final certified register. 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 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 Commission appreciates the vigilance of citizens and stakeholders who have brought these concerns to public attention. Such scrutiny contributes to the process of improving the accuracy and integrity of the register.

INEC remains committed to completing the necessary verification, adjudication, and data-cleanup processes ahead of the scheduled certification of the final Register of Voters on 15th December 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.

Mohammed Kudu Haruna

Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC)

27th October, 2026h

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has addressed public concerns over suspected AI-generated photographs allegedly found in the Preliminary Register of Voters recently published on its website.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the Commission explained that the register uploaded online on October 26 was the same preliminary register physically displayed at Registration Areas (RAs) nationwide from October 9 to 15 as part of the Display, Claims and Objections exercise.

INEC stated that several questionable registration records were identified and flagged during the physical display for further investigation. It added that the process of reviewing the records and implementing necessary corrections had commenced in line with established procedures.

The Commission clarified that the online version contained the original preliminary register and did not reflect all ongoing data-cleaning activities.

It emphasised that the preliminary register was not the final certified Register of Voters, noting that the Display, Claims and Objections exercise was designed to allow members of the public to examine the register, identify inaccuracies and irregularities, and facilitate necessary corrections before certification.

INEC also disclosed that 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 Commission commended citizens and stakeholders who raised concerns about the photographs, describing their vigilance as an important contribution to improving the accuracy and integrity of the voters’ register.

INEC reaffirmed its commitment to completing the necessary verification, adjudication and data-cleaning processes ahead of the scheduled certification of the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.

It assured Nigerians that confirmed irregularities would be addressed through the appropriate procedures and that further updates would be provided as the review progresses.