…Nigerians Question Integrity Of Electoral Database, Demand Full Disclosure
…Utomi Raises Alarm, Says Democracy At Stake
…INEC Investigates Possible Technical, Procedural Lapses
…Final Register Certification Fixes For December 15
Daud Olatunji
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come under intense scrutiny after acknowledging concerns over suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs in Nigeria’s preliminary Register of Voters, sparking public outrage and renewed questions about the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
The commission said it had commenced a review of questionable voter records and was investigating possible technical or procedural lapses that might have allowed the photographs to appear in its electoral database.
The development followed public complaints after INEC uploaded the preliminary register to its website on Monday, October 26, with some Nigerians alleging that certain voter profiles contained suspicious photographs, duplicate entries and other discrepancies.
Some social media users also claimed to have discovered deceased relatives on the register, while others questioned the authenticity of photographs and personal details attached to some voter profiles.
The controversy has heightened demands for transparency, with Nigerians insisting that the electoral commission must explain how the questionable records emerged and what measures are being taken to protect the integrity of the register ahead of the 2027 polls.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the reported discrepancies have triggered widespread debate on social media, with some citizens expressing fears that unresolved irregularities could undermine confidence in the electoral process.
Others called on INEC to disclose the extent of the problem, identify the source of the disputed images and explain whether the affected records had passed through the commission’s verification procedures.
Some users also raised concerns about the possibility of duplicate or fictitious voter profiles being exploited during elections. However, such claims have not been independently established, and the appearance of suspicious photographs does not, by itself, prove that the register contains fictitious voters or that electoral fraud has occurred.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, and signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission acknowledged that questionable records had been identified during the public display of the preliminary register.
INEC explained that the register uploaded to its website was the same preliminary document displayed at Registration Areas nationwide between October 9 and 15.
The exercise, known as Display, Claims and Objections, allows members of the public to examine voter registration records, identify inaccuracies and challenge questionable entries before the final Register of Voters is certified.
According to the commission, some records were flagged for further examination during the exercise, prompting a review and corrective measures.
“The online publication represents the original preliminary register and does not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities,” INEC stated.
The commission stressed that the preliminary register should not be confused with the final certified Register of Voters, adding that the review was intended to identify and correct irregularities before certification.
“It is important to emphasise that the preliminary register is not the final certified register,” it said.
INEC further disclosed that it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses, and promised to take appropriate action based on verified findings.
The commission welcomed concerns raised by citizens and other stakeholders, describing public scrutiny as an important component of efforts to improve the accuracy and integrity of the register.
It also promised to provide further updates as the review progressed, ahead of the scheduled December 15, 2026 certification of the final Register of Voters.
Nigerians Demand Full Disclosure
The controversy has generated reactions across social media, with citizens questioning the reliability of the voter registration database and demanding explanations from the electoral commission.
Reports by Nigerian news organisations, including SaharaReporters and TheCable, highlighted concerns over voter profiles containing photographs suspected of being AI-generated.
Some of the complaints reportedly focused on records in Ward 11, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, while other concerns were raised about alleged discrepancies in Esan Central Local Government Area.
One social media user, identified as Decosule, challenged INEC to explain how the disputed photographs entered the register and who was responsible for capturing and verifying the information.
The user also questioned whether Permanent Voter Cards associated with the affected profiles had been issued or collected.
Another user, identified as Umeh, expressed distrust over the reported discrepancies, arguing that the controversy could further weaken public confidence in the electoral process.
Other social media users alleged that duplicate records and suspicious photographs could be exploited to inflate voter figures or facilitate electoral manipulation, while some called on opposition parties and civil society organisations to demand accountability.
The online reactions reflect concerns about the credibility of the register, although they do not establish that the alleged irregularities were deliberately created or that the commission’s systems had been used to manipulate election outcomes.
The central question for many citizens is whether INEC can demonstrate that the register accurately represents eligible voters and that adequate safeguards exist to prevent impersonation, duplication and unauthorised alterations.
Utomi Warns Electoral Credibility At Risk
Political economist and professor Pat Utomi has also raised concerns over the reported appearance of suspected AI-generated photographs in the preliminary register, warning that the issue could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
In a post on X, Utomi urged INEC to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserved, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability in maintaining the credibility of elections.
“INEC cannot afford to be careless with the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process. The presence of AI-generated images in a register meant to support our democracy raises serious questions about verification, transparency and accountability. Our democracy is at stake here!” he wrote.
Utomi’s intervention has added to calls for the commission to explain the origin of the disputed photographs, the procedures used to verify voter information and the safeguards protecting its electoral database.
His warning comes amid heightened political sensitivity over preparations for the 2027 general elections, with political parties and other stakeholders closely monitoring INEC’s decisions and operational readiness.
The controversy has also drawn attention to the commission’s plans to deploy artificial intelligence in its election preparations.
INEC’s AI Plans Under Fresh Scrutiny
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, had earlier announced plans to deploy AI-powered tools to strengthen result verification, detect anomalies and improve cybersecurity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission disclosed that it had established a dedicated AI division within its Information and Communications Technology department and was integrating automated auditing and anomaly-detection tools into its systems.
Amupitan also said an AI governance framework was being developed, with human oversight forming part of the proposed arrangements.
The emergence of suspected AI-generated photographs in the preliminary register has now raised questions about the effectiveness of INEC’s existing verification procedures and its capacity to identify manipulated images before they become part of official electoral records.
However, using AI to analyse election results or detect cyber threats is different from verifying the authenticity of photographs submitted during voter registration.
The investigation will therefore need to establish whether the disputed photographs were actually generated by AI, how they entered the register and whether the cases resulted from isolated errors or weaknesses in the registration and verification process.
The findings could also help determine whether existing safeguards are adequate to protect the database against fabricated images, duplicate entries and other forms of irregularity.
Opposition Party Alleges Plot To Rig 2027 Elections
The controversy comes amid political tensions over INEC’s proposed use of artificial intelligence during the forthcoming general elections.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) had accused the commission of planning to manipulate the 2027 elections in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress through its proposed AI deployment.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, and titled “INEC’s Plan To Rig The 2027 General Elections With AI,” the party questioned the timing and implications of the proposed technology.
“INEC is plotting to rig the 2027 general elections in favour of the ruinous APC by deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI). Suddenly, AI has become an attractive tool for the election management body,” the party alleged.
The allegation remains the NDC’s position and has not been established by the reported discovery of suspicious photographs.
INEC, meanwhile, has maintained that its proposed AI framework is intended to improve verification, strengthen cybersecurity and detect irregularities, with human oversight.
Nevertheless, the latest controversy has increased pressure on the electoral body to demonstrate that its systems are reliable, transparent and capable of detecting and correcting errors before the final register is certified.
….December 15 Deadline Raises Stakes
With the final Register of Voters scheduled for certification on December 15, 2026, INEC faces mounting pressure to complete its investigation and explain the corrective measures being taken.
Beyond acknowledging the concerns, the commission will need to establish the nature and scale of the discrepancies, distinguish confirmed errors from unverified allegations and demonstrate that identified irregularities have been addressed through appropriate procedures.
The process will also require transparency in communicating findings while protecting the personal information of registered voters.
For citizens who have raised concerns online, the issue goes beyond the presence of suspicious photographs. It touches on whether the electoral commission can guarantee an accurate register and protect the system against duplication, impersonation and unauthorised alterations.
As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, the outcome of INEC’s investigation could prove critical to public confidence in the electoral process.
A transparent review, backed by verifiable findings and effective corrective measures, would give Nigerians a clearer basis for assessing the commission’s assurances.
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