INEC Addresses AI-Generated Images in Preliminary Voter Register

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has initiated a data-cleansing process for its preliminary Register of Voters following the discovery of suspicious entries. According to Lawrence Bayode, the commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, the agency is currently reviewing 268 records flagged by the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) for containing AI-generated imagery or other irregularities.

Understanding the Irregularities

The issue came to light after the preliminary register was published online on October 26, 2026. Social media users circulated screenshots highlighting questionable photographs, including entries from parts of Edo State, as well as concerns regarding duplicate entries and the presence of deceased individuals on the list. Bayode explained during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics that some individuals exploited a registration pathway intended for persons with disabilities.

The “special registration” option, designed for those lacking complete fingerprints, was reportedly misused to bypass standard verification protocols. By leveraging official credentials through this specific channel, some users were able to input profiles that the ABIS system later identified as problematic.

Distinguishing Between Enhancement and Fabrication

A critical aspect of the ongoing review is the distinction between malicious AI generation and standard digital enhancement. Bayode clarified that the commission does not intend to remove every photograph touched by AI software. He noted that many mobile devices now automatically apply AI-driven enhancements to photos, which is acceptable for voter registration purposes.

“Those that we know it is the AI on the phone that helped enhance their pictures, we can’t exclude such people because it was the AI on the phone that does that. Such people will still be on the register but those AI-generated, those photographs, all these will be removed,” Bayode stated.

The Role of the Preliminary Register

INEC has emphasized that the online publication of the register is part of a standard “claims and objections” exercise. This period is specifically designed to allow the public to scrutinize the data and report inaccuracies before the final certification. The commission noted that the online data reflects a snapshot of the register that does not account for all cleanup activities currently in progress.

The commission maintains that the register currently in the public domain is not the final version. INEC has committed to completing the necessary verification and adjudication processes to ensure the integrity of the voter list. The final certified Register of Voters is scheduled for release on December 15, 2026.

Conclusion

While the presence of AI-generated images in the voter register has sparked public concern, INEC asserts that its existing biometric infrastructure is capable of identifying and isolating these anomalies. The commission continues to work toward the December deadline, relying on both its automated systems and public feedback to finalize a clean and accurate register.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Channels Television

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