The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has attributed the appearance of artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other questionable entries in its preliminary Register of Voters to alleged irregularities involving some registration officers across the country.
INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode, disclosed this on Friday, October 30, 2026, during an interview on Arise Television’s The Morning Show.
Bayode explained that some registration officers allegedly used their official login credentials to introduce questionable records into the voter registration database, taking advantage of their access to the registration system.
He clarified that while some of the suspicious photographs were generated using artificial intelligence, others resulted from poor registration practices.
According to him, the commission discovered the irregularities through its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which was used to examine the database and identify questionable records.
The ICT director said INEC had established how some of the irregularities occurred but could not explain the motives behind the actions of the officers involved.
The revelation follows public outrage after INEC uploaded its preliminary voters’ register to its website on October 26, with screenshots circulating online showing suspicious photographs attached to voter records, particularly in parts of Edo State.
Other concerns raised by Nigerians included alleged duplicate registrations, names of deceased persons and complaints by some registered voters who could not find their details on the online register.
Bayode assured that the commission was already working to clean up the database and address the identified irregularities before the final register is certified.
INEC had earlier clarified that the published register was preliminary and not the final certified version, adding that the verification, adjudication and correction processes would be completed ahead of the December 15, 2026 certification deadline.
The commission has maintained that the exercise is part of efforts to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
