INEC Removes AI-Generated Images from Voters’ Register, Flags Staff in 10 States

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed artificial intelligence-generated photographs uploaded to the national voters’ register and identified officials involved in the practice across 10 states for disciplinary action.

National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed this on Wednesday during a webinar organised by the PUNCH Media Foundation.

The webinar, themed AI, Misinformation and Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Safeguarding the Truth, Protecting the Vote, examined the implications of artificial intelligence for the country's electoral process.

Haruna described the use of AI-generated images in voter registration as one of the challenges facing the commission, confirming that the affected photographs had been taken down.

He explained that although INEC might find it difficult to prevent members of the public from digitally manipulating their photographs before uploading them, it had greater control over cases involving its own personnel.

The commissioner said officials suspected of involvement had been identified in about 10 states and flagged for appropriate disciplinary measures.

On the commission’s preparations for regulating artificial intelligence during the 2027 elections, Haruna said INEC had developed an AI policy but was still working to finalise it.

He noted that the technology was evolving rapidly, creating regulatory challenges for electoral institutions across the world.

According to him, the commission had already outlined its intended approach to the use of artificial intelligence and would make the policy available to the public after completing the necessary processes.