The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun investigating suspicious photographs in the preliminary register of voters published on its website on Monday. The inquiry will also examine possible technical or procedural lapses.
In a statement, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee Mohammed Haruna clarified that the online register is preliminary and is not the final register to be used for the forthcoming general election.
Haruna said the final register would be published on December 15.
The statement reads:
“INEC has noted public concerns and reports circulating on social media regarding suspected AI-generated photographs appearing in the preliminary register of voters recently published on its website.
“The commission wishes to clarify that the register published online on October 26, 2026, is the same preliminary register physically displayed at Registration Areas (RAs) nationwide from October 9 to 15, 2026, as part of the Display, Claims and Objections exercise.
“During the physical display, many questionable registration records were identified and flagged for further examination. The commission began 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-clean-up activities.
“It is important to emphasise that the preliminary register is not the final certified register. The Display, Claims and Objections exercise is intended to facilitate public scrutiny, identify inaccuracies and irregularities, and enable appropriate corrections before certification.
“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.
“The commission appreciates the vigilance of citizens and stakeholders who brought these concerns to public attention. Such scrutiny contributes to efforts to improve the accuracy and integrity of the register.
“INEC remains committed to completing the necessary verification, adjudication and data-clean-up processes ahead of the scheduled certification of the final register of voters on December 15, 2026.
“The commission assures Nigerians that verified irregularities will be addressed through the applicable procedures and that further updates will be provided as the review progresses.”
