By David Oluwatosin
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched a review of suspected AI-generated photographs and questionable registration records identified in Nigeria’s Preliminary Register of Voters, assuring Nigerians that verified irregularities will be corrected before the final register is certified.
The commission said the online register published on October 26, 2026, was the same preliminary register displayed physically at Registration Areas nationwide from October 9 to 15 as part of the Display, Claims and Objections exercise.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, and signed by the Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the commission acknowledged public concerns and reports circulating on social media about suspicious photographs appearing in the register.
INEC explained that questionable registration records had been identified and flagged for further examination during the physical display exercise, prompting the commission to begin reviewing the records and taking corrective action in line with established procedures.
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It clarified, however, that the online publication contained the original preliminary register and did not incorporate all ongoing data-cleanup activities.
The commission stressed that the preliminary register was not the final certified Register of Voters, noting that the display exercise was designed to allow citizens and stakeholders to scrutinise the records, identify inaccuracies and report irregularities for correction.
According to INEC, the process provides an opportunity to address discrepancies and other concerns before the register is formally certified.
The commission also disclosed that it was examining the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses that may have contributed to their appearance in the register.
It said appropriate action would be taken based on verified findings from the review.
INEC commended citizens and stakeholders who raised concerns about the suspected irregularities, describing public scrutiny as an important part of efforts to improve the accuracy and integrity of the voter register.
The commission assured Nigerians that it remained committed to completing the necessary verification, adjudication and data-cleanup processes ahead of the scheduled certification of the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.
It added that verified irregularities would be addressed through the applicable procedures and that further updates would be provided as the review progressed.
The development places renewed attention on the accuracy of voter registration data and the safeguards required to ensure that the final register meets the standards expected of Nigeria’s electoral process.
