INEC Flags 268 Voter Records Over Suspected AI-Generated Photos

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified 268 questionable voter records containing suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other irregularities in its preliminary Register of Voters.

The commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television, explaining that the records were flagged by its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).

Bayode said INEC had commenced a review of all 268 records as part of efforts to remove fraudulent entries and improve the accuracy of the electoral database.

He explained that some registration officers allegedly exploited their official login credentials to introduce questionable profiles into the system, including photographs generated using artificial intelligence.

According to him, some individuals also abused a special registration provision designed for persons with disabilities who have incomplete or missing fingers to create irregular voter profiles.

Bayode, however, clarified that the commission would not remove every photograph that had been enhanced using artificial intelligence. He distinguished between genuine photographs improved with AI-powered mobile applications and images generated entirely by artificial intelligence.

He said voters whose genuine photographs had merely been enhanced would remain on the register, while records containing artificially generated faces would be removed after verification.

The development follows public concerns that emerged after INEC uploaded its preliminary voters’ register to its website on October 26, with screenshots circulating on social media showing suspicious photographs attached to voter records, including entries from parts of Edo State.

Other concerns raised by members of the public included alleged duplicate registrations and reports of missing voter details.

INEC had earlier explained that the online version was the same preliminary register displayed physically at Registration Areas nationwide between October 9 and 15, adding that the publication did not reflect all the data-cleanup activities already underway.

The commission stressed that the register was not yet the final certified version and urged registered voters to participate in the verification process by reporting inaccuracies and questionable entries.

INEC is expected to complete its verification, adjudication and data-cleanup exercises before certifying the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.

The commission said the ongoing review was part of measures to safeguard the credibility and accuracy of the voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections.