Nigeria’s electoral commission says it has begun reviewing questionable voter registration records, promising to remove confirmed fake entries while protecting genuine voters.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has flagged 268 records in its preliminary Register of Voters over suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other irregularities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Lawrence Bayode, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, explaining that the commission’s Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) identified the questionable records for further investigation.

According to Bayode, the commission has commenced the process of examining the affected records and cleaning up entries confirmed to be irregular.

He explained that some individuals allegedly exploited a special registration arrangement designed for persons with disabilities who have incomplete fingers or no fingers to create questionable voter profiles.

INEC Explains Which Photographs Will Be Removed

Bayode clarified that not every photograph enhanced with artificial intelligence would lead to the removal of a voter’s record.

He explained that genuine photographs improved with AI-powered applications on mobile phones would remain acceptable, while photographs generated entirely by artificial intelligence would be removed once confirmed.

The commission said it was already reviewing the affected records to determine which entries should be corrected or removed.

Controversy Surrounds Preliminary Voter Register

The development follows public criticism after INEC published its preliminary Register of Voters online on October 26, 2026.

Screenshots circulated on social media showing questionable photographs attached to some voter records, particularly in parts of Edo State.

The controversy also raised concerns about alleged duplicate registrations, names of deceased persons appearing on the register and complaints from some registered voters who could not find their details.

INEC has maintained that the online publication is a preliminary register and not the final certified document.

Final Register Expected in December

The electoral commission has said that the display, claims and objections exercise is intended to allow Nigerians to identify errors, report suspicious entries and request corrections before the final register is certified.

INEC is expected to complete its verification, adjudication and data-cleanup processes before certifying the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.

The development comes as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections, with the credibility of the voter register remaining a major issue for political stakeholders and election observers.

Utelnova will continue to follow developments surrounding Nigeria’s electoral preparations.