By Mary Onyia

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is investigating suspected artificial intelligence (AI)-generated photographs in its preliminary register of voters, amid mounting public outrage and opposition demands for answers ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, said the commission was examining the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses. He said appropriate action would follow verified findings. INEC also reportedly confirmed that it had flagged questionable registration records during the physical display of the preliminary register nationwide.

The controversy followed the circulation of screenshots by a social media user, Decosule, showing voter records reportedly from Ward 11 in Etsako West and Udomi in Esan Central, both in Edo State. The images raised questions about the authenticity of the photographs, the verification process, and whether Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) linked to the disputed records had been collected. However, the screenshots alone do not establish that the photographs were AI-generated or prove electoral fraud.

The opposition Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) reportedly demanded an explanation, asking who introduced the alleged AI-generated images into the register, who conducted the registration, and whether PVCs had been collected. The party also alleged that the voters’ register had been inflated and warned against any attempt to rig the 2027 election. Political economist Prof. Pat Utomi equally urged INEC to address the concerns, warning: “Our democracy is at stake here!”

INEC said the register uploaded to its website on October 26 was the same preliminary list displayed physically nationwide from October 9 to 15 and did not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities. It stressed that the register was not final and that verification and corrections would precede certification on December 15. The commission must now demonstrate transparently how the disputed records entered its system and what safeguards will prevent similar irregularities.

Political analysts believe that if questionable entries are left unresolved or such weaknesses are replicated nationwide, they could undermine confidence in the register, fuel allegations of manipulation, and cast a shadow over the credibility of the 2027 elections.