INEC Flags 268 Voter Records for AI Photo Issues

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has flagged 268 records in its preliminary Register of Voters over suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other irregularities as it begins cleaning up the database ahead of the 2027 general elections. Lawrence Bayode, INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

The Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) identified these questionable records for further examination. Bayode explained that some individuals exploited a special registration option for persons with disabilities to create questionable voter profiles.

INEC is reviewing and removing confirmed irregular records from the preliminary register. He clarified that voters whose genuine photographs were enhanced using AI applications would not be excluded.

The controversy arose after the preliminary Register of Voters was published on October 26, leading to public outrage over suspicious photographs, duplicate registrations, and missing details. Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Nigeria Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, called for a thorough investigation into these irregularities.