By Stephen Simon
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified 268 questionable 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 Automated Biometric Identification System had detected the questionable entries.
Bayode said some individuals allegedly exploited a special registration arrangement designed for persons with disabilities, particularly those with incomplete or missing fingers, to create questionable voter profiles.
He explained that INEC had commenced the process of removing records confirmed to contain entirely AI-generated photographs, while clarifying that genuine photographs merely enhanced with artificial intelligence would not automatically lead to the exclusion of affected voters.
The development followed public outrage over the preliminary register published on October 26, with screenshots circulating online showing suspicious photographs attached to some voter records.
Concerns have also been raised over alleged duplicate registrations, names of deceased persons and complaints by registered voters whose details were reportedly missing from the online register.
INEC is expected to complete its verification and data-cleaning exercise before certifying the final register on December 15, 2026.
