AI photo controversy: 'Online voters’ register not final‘ - INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has stated that the Preliminary Register of Voters published on its website is not the final certified register, following public concerns and social media reports of suspected AI-generated photographs in the document.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, IVEC, Commissioner Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the preliminary register remains subject to scrutiny, verification and correction before certification.

“It is important to emphasise that the preliminary register is not the final certified register,” Haruna said.

He explained that the Display, Claims and Objections exercise is specifically intended to facilitate public scrutiny, identify inaccuracies and irregularities, and enable appropriate corrections before the register is certified.

Commissioner Haruna clarified that the register published online on 26 October 2026 is the same preliminary register that was physically displayed at Registration Areas, RAs, nationwide from 9 to 15 October 2026 as part of the exercise.

According to the statement, a number of questionable registration records were identified and flagged for further examination during the physical display. Haruna said INEC has since commenced the process of reviewing the records and taking appropriate corrective action in accordance with established procedures.

He noted that the online publication represents the original preliminary register and does not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities.

Commissioner Haruna further disclosed that INEC is examining the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses, and will take appropriate action based on verified findings.

Haruna also expressed appreciation to citizens and stakeholders who brought the concerns to public attention, noting that such scrutiny contributes to improving the accuracy and integrity of the register.

“The Commission remains committed to completing the necessary verification, adjudication, and data-cleanup processes ahead of the scheduled certification of the final Register of Voters on 15th December 2026,” the statement said.

Commissioner Haruna assured Nigerians that verified irregularities would be addressed through the applicable procedures, and that further updates would be provided as the review progresses.