Inec say dem go investigate as Nigerians raise alarm ova alleged AI-generated images of voters ontop dia website

Di Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) through dia tok-tok pesin Mohammed Kudu Haruna say dem go investigate di alleged AI-generated images of voters ontop dia website.

Nigerians enta social media to allege say voters register wey Inec release dis week get AI-generated images of electorate.

Dem also claim say di list miss some names and odas claim say e double dia names. Inec neva respond to dis two claims.

Dis na as Inec release di first online list on Monday afta dem drop am for dia office.

BBC News Pidgin check di website and see profiles of voters wit images. But we no fit independently verify say na AI-generated images.

Inec tok-tok pesin Mohammed Kudu Haruna tell BBC say dem go investigate di mata.

E say, "For di pipo wey tok say dem see AI, I go go meet pipo for di technical department and tell dem wetin you tok.

"First of all, we gatz verify say true-true na AI pictures dey our records and secondly, dem go tell me how dat one happun bifor I carry di informate come give una."

Inec later bring out more informate about di voters register wey dem publish online on Monday.

For di statement wey dem release on Tuesday, 27 October, Inec clarify say di voters register wey dem publish online on 26 October 2026 na di same preliminary register wey dem bin physically display for Registration Areas (RAs) nationwide from 9th to 15th October 2026.

Dem say na part of di “Display, Claims and Objections exercise”.

Inec explain say during di physical display dem bin identify some questions about registration records and dem flag am for further examination.

“Di Commission start di process of reviewing dis records and take appropriate corrective action in accordance wit established procedures.

“Di online publication represent di original preliminary register and e no reflect all di ongoing data-cleanup activities.”

According to Inec e dey important to emphasise say di preliminary register “no be di final certified register. Di Display, Claims and Objections exercise dey specifically intended to facilitate public scrutiny, identify inaccuracies and irregularities, and enable appropriate corrections bifor certification”.

Di Commission say dem dey also chook eyes to know di circumstances wey surround di suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses, and dem go take appropriate action based on verified findings.

"Di Commission appreciate di vigilance of citizens and stakeholders wey don bring dis concerns to public attention. Such scrutiny dey contribute to di process of improving di accuracy and integrity of di register.

“Inec remain committed to complete di necessary verification, adjudication, and data-cleanup processes ahead of di scheduled certification of di final Register of Voters on 15th December 2026," di statement tok.

Earlier, Professor Pat Utomi, wey be one of Inec critics ontop of di mata of voters register tok say make di electoral joinbodi no dey carry trust for electoral process dey play.

"Di discovery of AI generated images of pipo for di 2027 voter registration come out wit questions about di truth and integrity of di elections," Pat Utomi tok for X.

Wetin be di law about Inec voters list?

Section 19(5) of di Electoral Act say: Official or staff of di Commission, wey fail to display or publish di voters register as provided under subsection (1), e don commit offence and e dey liable on conviction to fine of 100,000 naira or imprisonment for a term of six months or both.

E say: "Di Commission gatz, not later dan 90 days to a general election, appoint a period of seven days during which a copy of di voters register for each Local Govment, Area Council or Ward gatz dey displayed or published for public scrutiny for evri registration area and for dia official website or any website established by di Commission for dat purpose."