“Who Infused AI-Generated Images In The Register?” — Nigerians Query INEC Over Suspicious Voter Records In Edo

Nigerians have raised concerns over photographs appearing in the preliminary voters’ register published by the Independent National Electoral Commission, with some social media users alleging that certain images appear to have been generated using Artificial Intelligence.

The controversy emerged shortly after INEC made the preliminary register for the 2027 general elections available online following public demands for wider access to the records.

INEC said the online publication was intended to complement the earlier physical display of the register and enable more Nigerians to scrutinise voter information, submit claims and raise objections before the final register is certified. The commission said the physical display was conducted nationwide from October 9 to 15, while claims and objections are being processed ahead of publication of the final register on December 15, 2026.

Following the online publication, however, some Nigerians began sharing screenshots of voter entries which they said contained photographs that appeared inconsistent with the names and other details attached to them.

Particular attention was drawn to entries said to be from polling units in Ward 11, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Similar concerns were also raised about entries said to be from Esan Central Local Government Area.

One X user, Decosule, posting under the handle @SuleDeco, publicly asked INEC to explain how the disputed photographs entered the register.

“Dear @inecnigeria, can you explain why you have AI-generated images on the INEC Register in polling units in Ward 11, Etsako West LG, Edo State? We want an explanation.

“Who infused AI-generated images in the register? Who did the capturing? Who collected their PVCs, if they have been collected? We want answers!!!!!” he wrote.

The allegation that the photographs were generated by Artificial Intelligence has not been independently established, and INEC had not publicly confirmed that any of the disputed images were AI-generated at the time of reporting.

Another X user, Elle, posting as @sweetsixtien, questioned the entries and alleged that the controversy could explain why the register had not initially been made easily accessible online.

She also made political allegations involving President Bola Tinubu, the APC and other individuals, but provided no evidence establishing that the disputed voter photographs were connected to them.

Another user, Mayor of Etsako, @bryma_007, raised concerns about the names attached to some of the records.

“And the names are not even proper Edo names, not to talk of being Etsako. Omo!!!” he wrote.

The complaints emerged against the backdrop of earlier criticism over access to the preliminary voters’ register.

INEC subsequently announced that it would publish the same preliminary register earlier displayed physically at registration areas on its online platform to enhance transparency, accessibility and public scrutiny.

The register is now accessible through the commission’s online platform as a preliminary record rather than the final list of persons eligible to vote in the 2027 elections.

The distinction is important because the purpose of displaying a preliminary voters’ register is to allow members of the public to identify errors, duplicate or questionable entries and raise claims or objections before the final register is produced.

INEC’s own guidelines describe the display exercise as an opportunity for members of the public to scrutinise the register and seek corrections or challenge entries where appropriate.

INEC said on Monday that it was already processing claims and objections arising from the exercise ahead of the certification and publication of the final voters’ register on December 15.

The commission said its decision to provide online access followed concerns expressed by Nigerians and other stakeholders about the desirability of making the register more widely available.

According to INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, the online publication was intended to promote transparency, accessibility and public confidence in the electoral process.

The controversy over the disputed photographs therefore comes during the period specifically provided for scrutiny of the preliminary records before the register becomes final.

However, INEC had yet to publicly address the specific allegation that AI-generated photographs had been inserted into voter records in Etsako West, Esan Central or elsewhere.

There was also no publicly established evidence at the time of reporting identifying who created the disputed photographs, how they entered the database, whether the entries belong to genuine registered voters, or whether any Permanent Voter’s Cards connected to the records had been collected.

The concerns have nevertheless increased calls for INEC to examine the affected entries and publicly clarify the circumstances surrounding the photographs as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.

The commission maintains official channels through which members of the public can submit complaints and enquiries about voter registration and other electoral matters.

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