The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has flagged 268 voter records in its preliminary Register of Voters due to suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs and biometric anomalies. The cleanup initiative comes as the commission prepares its digital database ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The disclosure was made by INEC Director of Information and Communication Technology, Engr. Lawrence Bayode, during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics broadcast in Abuja on Sunday evening, November 1, 2026.
Engr. Bayode explained that the questionable entries were picked up by the commission’s Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which automatically screens facial features and biometric signatures for irregularities.
Public interest surrounding the issue intensified after INEC published the preliminary voter register online on October 26, 2026, prompting citizens and observers to report suspicious profile photos and missing voter details.
Addressing concerns over how the flagged images entered the database, Engr. Bayode noted that registration officers exploited internal system workarounds linked to special registration protocols meant for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
By utilising PWD overrides, which bypass fingerprint capture for individuals with physical impairments, rogue operators uploaded non-compliant facial captures and synthetic photos. The commission is currently auditing internal system logs to identify the officers responsible and apply strict administrative sanctions.
The commission clarified that genuine voters who used smartphone camera features such as lighting adjustments or minor filters will not be removed from the roll, provided their photos remain recognizable human faces. Only entries identified as fully synthetic or generated via text-to-image software will be purged.
INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan affirmed that the commission is conducting a thorough examination of the entire database to resolve claims and objections. Following the completion of the public display period, internal reviews, and adjudication, INEC plans to certify and publish the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.
