The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is investigating suspected AI-generated photographs found in the preliminary voters’ register it published online, after social media users raised the alarm.
Screenshots shared widely online appear to show voter entries with faces that look computer-generated, with smooth, uniform features and unusual backgrounds. Some users questioned how such images could have entered the register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
What INEC Said
In a statement, Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, said the commission was examining the circumstances behind the photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses. He said INEC “will take appropriate action based on verified findings.”
The commission stressed that what was published online on Monday, October 26, is the preliminary register and “was not the final certified register.” It said the online version is the same register that was physically displayed at Registration Areas nationwide from October 9 to 15, 2026, as part of the Display, Claims and Objections exercise.
INEC said some questionable records had already been flagged during the physical display and were being reviewed and corrected under its standard procedures. It added that the online copy did not reflect all the ongoing data clean-up work.
Final Register Due December 15
INEC said it will complete verification, adjudication and data clean-up before the final register is certified. The final Register of Voters is scheduled to be certified on December 15, 2026. The commission promised further updates as the review continues.
The purpose of publishing the preliminary register, INEC explained, is to allow public scrutiny so that inaccuracies and irregularities can be identified and corrected before the final list is produced.
PVC Pickup Page Inaccessible, Users Say
Separately, users have complained that the PVC pickup option on INEC’s voter portal keeps showing a “redirected you too many times” error, preventing them from checking where to collect their Permanent Voter Cards. Arise News reported that its own checks found the same problem. INEC has not yet publicly explained the issue.
Why It Matters
The credibility of the voters’ register is central to the conduct of free and fair elections. In past election cycles, civil society groups and political parties have raised concerns about underage registrants, duplicate entries and ghost voters.
Election observers say the suspected AI images, if confirmed, would raise serious questions about how registration data is captured and checked. Others note that the claims and objections process exists precisely to catch such problems before the final register is certified.
Nigerians are encouraged to check their details on the preliminary register and report any errors or suspicious entries to INEC through the appropriate channels.
Have you been able to check your PVC status? Let us know in the comments.