RismadarVoice Reporters
October 30, 2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has attributed the appearance of suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other irregularities in its preliminary voters’ register to the activities of some registration officers.
INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode, disclosed this during an interview on Arise Television on Friday.
Bayode explained that certain registration officers allegedly used their authorised access to introduce questionable records into the commission’s database.
According to him, the irregularities were detected through INEC’s Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which examines registration records for discrepancies.
He clarified that not all the suspicious photographs were generated using artificial intelligence, noting that some resulted from poor registration practices.
The ICT director said the commission had identified how some of the questionable records entered its database but had not established the motives of the officers involved.
He added that the irregularities were not confined to a single location, as questionable registration practices had been detected across different states.
The disclosure follows widespread public concern after INEC uploaded its preliminary voters’ register to its website on October 26.
Screenshots circulating on social media showed photographs suspected to have been generated using artificial intelligence attached to voter records, including entries reportedly originating from Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Other complaints involved alleged duplicate registrations, names of deceased persons and missing details of previously registered voters.
INEC had earlier clarified in an October 27 statement that the online register was the same preliminary document displayed physically across registration areas nationwide between October 9 and 15.
The commission explained that some suspicious entries had already been identified during the physical display and were undergoing examination.
It stressed that the online version did not reflect all ongoing corrections and data-cleaning activities.
INEC also maintained that the preliminary register should not be confused with the final certified register intended for use in the 2027 general elections.
The commission said the public display process was designed to allow citizens to identify inaccuracies, submit objections and request corrections before final certification.
According to INEC, verification, investigation and data-cleaning exercises will continue ahead of the scheduled certification of the final register on December 15, 2026.
The electoral body assured Nigerians that confirmed irregularities would be addressed through established procedures.
However, it has not publicly announced disciplinary findings against specific registration officers in connection with the questionable entries.
The development has intensified scrutiny of INEC’s voter registration procedures and its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
