INEC Under Fire Over Alleged AI-Generated Photos in Voters’ Register

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come under criticism following allegations that its preliminary register of voters contains artificial intelligence-generated photographs, duplicate entries and questionable voter profiles ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The controversy emerged on Monday after Nigerians began examining the register published on the commission’s official website, with several social media users raising concerns about the authenticity of some photographs and the accuracy of the information contained in the database.

Some users alleged that certain voter profiles featured AI-generated images, while others claimed that identical photographs appeared against different records. There were also concerns about entries with similar identification details despite having different voter registration numbers.

The development has sparked fresh questions about the reliability of Nigeria’s voters’ register and the effectiveness of INEC’s verification procedures ahead of the next general elections.

Several Nigerians have called on the commission to explain how the disputed images and records entered the register, who was responsible for capturing the affected voters and whether the individuals involved had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The allegations have also raised concerns about the potential implications for electoral transparency and public confidence in the 2027 polls.

Political economist and professor Pat Utomi was among those who expressed concern over the development, warning that the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process could be undermined if questions about the authenticity of voter information were not adequately addressed.

Utomi stressed the importance of transparency and accountability, urging INEC to take the concerns seriously.

The controversy comes as the electoral commission prepares for the 2027 general elections and faces growing scrutiny over the management and verification of voter registration data.

However, the allegations of AI-generated photographs and irregular voter profiles have yet to be independently confirmed. The appearance of suspicious images alone does not establish that fraudulent registrations have occurred.

INEC’s explanation will be crucial in determining the origin of the disputed photographs, the number of records affected and whether any irregularities resulted from technical errors, weaknesses in verification procedures or deliberate manipulation.

As of the time of this report, the commission had not publicly provided a specific explanation addressing the allegations.

With the 2027 elections approaching, Nigerians will be watching closely to see how INEC responds to the concerns and what measures it takes to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the final voters’ register.