2027: INEC probes suspected AI voter photos as group petitions US, UK, EU

The credibility of Nigeria’s voters’ register and preparations for the 2027 elections came under renewed scrutiny yesterday as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) investigated photographs suspected to have been generated by artificial intelligence, while the Concerned Citizens for Nigerian Democracy (CCND) petitioned the United States, United Kingdom and European Union over alleged electoral irregularities, political interference and intimidation.

INEC said some questionable records had been identified and flagged during the physical display of the preliminary register. It said the circumstances surrounding the entries, including possible technical or procedural lapses, were being examined and that corrective action would follow verified findings.

The development coincided with CCND’s demand for targeted visa restrictions against individuals found responsible for undermining the electoral process. It also followed questions over INEC’s delayed online publication of the register, alleged voter-identity problems and the political affiliations of some electoral officials.

In a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC said the register published online on October 26 was the same preliminary document displayed at Registration Areas nationwide from October 9 to 15

“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 statement said.

“During the physical display, a number of 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 commission stressed that the online document was not the final certified register and did not reflect all ongoing data-cleaning 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,” it stated.

INEC said it was examining the photographs for possible technical or procedural failures and would act on verified findings.

“The commission appreciates the vigilance of citizens and stakeholders who have brought these concerns to public attention. Such scrutiny contributes to the process of improving the accuracy and integrity of the register,” it added.

The commission did not disclose the number of questionable entries, the nature of the suspected irregularities or whether registration officials had been placed under investigation.

The photographs were reportedly discovered in Ward 11, Uzairue South East, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, including entries linked to Iyoku-Utukwe Afashio Booth and Ikabigbo Primary School polling units.

A social media user identified as Decosule questioned how the images entered INEC’s database, who captured them and whether Permanent Voter Cards had been issued or collected for the affected registrations.

The reports have not been independently verified. The controversy has nevertheless raised questions about biometric registration, identity verification and safeguards against fictitious entries or unauthorised alterations.

Political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, called for urgent clarification.

“INEC cannot afford to be careless with the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process,” he declared.

The issue also revived debate over INEC’s proposed use of artificial intelligence. Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan had announced plans for a dedicated AI division within the commission’s Information and Communications Technology Department, alongside automated auditing and anomaly-detection systems.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), however, questioned the proposal and demanded safeguards and independent scrutiny in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director. There is no established connection between the disputed photographs and INEC’s proposed AI deployment.

Meanwhile, CCND Co-Convener, Kingdom Okere, said the group petitioned the three diplomatic missions because of developments it believed threatened credible elections and democratic institutions.

“It is more about survival than anything else. This democracy must not die in our hands,” he said.

Okere said the petitions alleged misconduct by electoral officials, political intimidation, possible breaches of voters’ data and actions by security agencies inconsistent with credible and peaceful elections. He urged the US, UK and EU to consider visa restrictions against individuals established to have participated in electoral manipulation, political violence or other anti-democratic activities.

“INEC must remain independent and conduct free, fair and credible elections in January 2027,” he said.

CCND also demanded investigations into alleged attacks on opposition members and offices. It questioned the neutrality of four Resident Electoral Commissioners allegedly linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as appointments and redeployments within sensitive INEC departments.

The group cited the redeployment of Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi to head the Electoral Operations Department, alleging a possible conflict of interest because of the political activities of her husband, Segun Showunmi. It also alleged that an INEC officer leaked an opposition aspirant’s voter record.

Another controversy concerns INEC’s online publication of the preliminary register. Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, requires the commission, not later than 90 days before a general election, to provide a seven-day period for public inspection at registration areas and on its website.

With the presidential election scheduled for January 16, the 90-day threshold fell on October 18. Although INEC displayed the register physically from October 9 to 15, it published it online on October 26, eight days after the threshold.

Section 19(5) provides that an electoral official who fails to display or publish the register as prescribed commits an offence punishable by a fine of N100,000, six months’ imprisonment or both.

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had criticised INEC for announcing more than 103 million registered voters without making the detailed register available online. He argued that aggregate figures could not replace citizens’ right to inspect individual records.

CCND also threatened legal action and filed a Freedom of Information request for the register and clarification of INEC’s compliance. Its Co-Convener, Michael Ademofe, welcomed the eventual publication but demanded an explanation.

“We asked under the law, and INEC has answered. That is how accountability is supposed to work,” Ademofe said.

The group asked whether the claims-and-objections period would be extended to accommodate voters who could not inspect their records online. INEC said the online publication complemented the physical display and that it was processing objections ahead of certification of the final register on December 15.

Neither statement indicated whether the period would be reopened.

Beyond the register, CCND accused security agencies of restricting opposition activities. Okere cited the alleged deployment of more than 1,000 police officers to Abuja’s Unity Fountain on October 24, forcing supporters of an opposition presidential candidate to relocate a campaign event.

“Every police commissioner, including the FCT Commissioner of Police, must provide a level playing field for all political parties and candidates,” he said.

The group also cited an alleged demand for government approval before an opposition candidate could campaign in Benue State and attacks on opposition members and offices in Enugu State. It called for investigations and prosecution where appropriate.

Ademofe recalled the violence that followed the 2011 presidential election, when more than 800 people were killed, including National Youth Service Corps members serving as election personnel. He warned that unresolved concerns over electoral credibility could have serious consequences.

Addressing electoral officials at INEC’s North-East zonal interactive meeting in Gombe, Amupitan warned against partisanship, financial inducements, negligence and misconduct.

“When you take that oath, you pledge before God and country to administer an election without a preferred candidate and without a preferred political party,” he declared.

He said election credibility would depend on officials at polling units, collation centres and other operational locations, adding that technology alone could not guarantee credible elections. He directed personnel to keep accurate records of administrative decisions, material movements and incidents, warning that such documents could face judicial and public scrutiny.

Amupitan also disclosed that the Department of State Services had uncovered an alleged plot to attack electoral personnel, particularly NYSC members serving as ad hoc workers. Suspects had reportedly been arrested and were facing prosecution.

“Anyone who attempts to threaten, intimidate, or harm our ad-hoc staff, NYSC members, or permanent personnel will be hunted down and brought to justice under the full weight of the law,” he warned.

He said INEC was working with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security and had adopted “ICCES Tentacle” to extend intelligence coordination to local government areas and Registration Area Centres.

The commission is collaborating with the police, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Armed Forces and other agencies to protect officials, voters, election materials and technological assets, including Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices. It also plans to deploy Electoral Risk Management tools and convene a National Election Security Conference in Abuja.

CCND announced plans to publish weekly assessments of election preparations and train citizen monitors to photograph polling-unit result sheets for comparison with results uploaded to INEC’s Result Viewing portal. It also demanded an independent audit of AI systems used in election management and clear safeguards for investigating complaints.

“Nigeria must win before any candidate wins,” Okere declared.

There was no immediate indication that the US, UK or EU missions had accepted CCND’s allegations or agreed to impose visa restrictions.

INEC said it was reviewing the disputed records and would complete the relevant verification, adjudication and correction processes before certifying the final register on December 15.