Outcry has trailed alleged artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other questionable records in the preliminary register of voters published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This has prompted the commission to begin an investigation into the suspected irregularities.

The controversy has raised questions about the integrity of voter registration data, with Nigerians demanding explanations over how suspicious photographs and alleged duplicate identities found their way into the register ahead of the 2027 general election.

INEC, in a statement on Tuesday by the Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said it was examining the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses.

The commission also said it had identified and flagged some questionable registration records during the physical display of the preliminary register at Registration Areas nationwide from October 9 to 15.

It explained that the register uploaded to its website on October 26 was the same preliminary register displayed physically during the exercise and did not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities.

The development followed the circulation of screenshots on social media purportedly showing questionable photographs attached to voter records in parts of Edo State.

A social media user, Decosule, had shared screenshots said to be from Ward 11, Etsako West Local Government Area, and Udomi in Esan Central Local Government Area, questioning how the photographs entered the commission’s database.

The user also sought explanations on who conducted the registration and image-capturing process and whether Permanent Voter Cards linked to the disputed records had been collected.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), in a post on X, called on INEC to explain the appearance of alleged AI-generated images in the register for polling units in Ward 11, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The party questioned who had introduced the images into the register, who conducted the voter registration and whether the individuals associated with the records had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Demanding an explanation from the electoral commission, the party asked: “Who infused AI generated images in the register?”

It also questioned who conducted the registration exercise and whether the individuals whose photographs appeared in the register had collected their PVCs.

“We want answers!!!!!” the party declared.

The NDC further alleged that the voter register had been inflated ahead of the 2027 elections, warning against any attempt to manipulate the electoral process.

“Our country’s voter register is inflated already before the election. We will resist any attempt to rig the 2027 election,” the party stated

Political economist and Nigeria Democratic Congress chieftain, Professor Pat Utomi, criticised the reported anomalies while calling on INEC to explain how such images could appear in a register meant to support the country’s electoral process.

Utomi warned that the allegations raised questions about verification, transparency and accountability, adding that public confidence in the electoral system was at stake.

Other social media users raised concerns about alleged duplicate records and missing names.

An X user identified as @eleniyanofcve claimed that the registration system had flagged another record containing the same names, date of birth, state and National Identification Number as theirs, but with a different photograph, gender and local government area.

The user alleged that registration officials proceeded with the process after promising that the discrepancy would be corrected, but subsequent checks reportedly failed to show their name on the online register.

Another user, Oluwakemi Oyefeso, who posts as @i_am_agbeke on X, also complained that her name was missing from the register while an alleged duplicate containing her government name, NIN and other personal details remained listed.

Responding to the concerns, INEC said the preliminary register was not the final certified register, stressing that the display, claims and objections exercise was designed to allow citizens to identify inaccuracies and irregularities before certification.

“The Commission wishes to clarify that the register published online on 26 October 2026 is the same preliminary register physically displayed at Registration Areas (RAs) nationwide from 9th to 15th October 2026 as part of the Display, Claims and Objections exercise.

“During the physical display, several questionable registration records were identified and flagged for further examination. The Commission commenced the process of reviewing these records and taking appropriate corrective action in accordance with established procedures.

“The online publication represents the original preliminary register and does not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities.

“It is important to emphasize that the preliminary register is not the final certified register. The Display, Claims and Objections exercise is specifically intended to facilitate public scrutiny, identify inaccuracies and irregularities, and enable appropriate corrections before certification”, Haruna said.

It added that the review would guide corrective action in line with established procedures and that appropriate steps would be taken based on verified findings.

“The Commission is also examining the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses, and will take appropriate action based on verified findings”, he said.

Haruna assured Nigerians that the Commission would complete the necessary verification, adjudication and data-cleanup processes before certifying the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.