BREAKING: INEC Reviews Suspicious Voter Records Ahead of 2027 Elections

• INEC says it is examining questionable photographs and registration records in its preliminary voter register following public concerns.
• The commission maintains that the list is still undergoing corrections ahead of final certification on December 15, 2026.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has commenced a review of questionable registration records following concerns about suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs in its preliminary voter register.

VerseNews reports that the commission disclosed the development in a statement dated Tuesday, October 27, signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee.

INEC said some records had already been flagged during the physical display of the register and were undergoing examination. The commission has not confirmed that the disputed photographs were created using artificial intelligence.

Online register does not reflect all ongoing corrections

The commission explained that the register uploaded online on October 26 was the same preliminary version displayed at Registration Areas nationwide between October 9 and 15.

According to INEC, the online version does not incorporate all the data-cleaning activities currently underway. Consequently, records being examined or corrected may still appear in the published preliminary list.

The commission said the review includes examining possible technical or procedural failures associated with the suspicious photographs. Any action will depend on verified findings, according to its October 27 statement.

Preliminary register is not the final voter list

INEC emphasised that the published register should not be mistaken for the final certified document.

The Display, Claims and Objections exercise provides an opportunity for citizens to inspect registration details and raise concerns before certification. It allows the commission to examine disputed entries and make necessary corrections.

The statement did not disclose the number of affected records or identify anyone responsible for the questioned photographs. It also did not announce a concluded finding of electoral fraud.

Final certification scheduled for December 15

INEC said it intends to complete verification, adjudication and data-cleaning activities before the final register is certified on December 15, 2026.

The commission welcomed the vigilance of citizens and stakeholders who raised concerns, describing public scrutiny as useful to improving the accuracy of electoral records.

It pledged to address confirmed irregularities through established procedures and provide further updates as the review progresses. The immediate task remains establishing the facts surrounding the disputed entries and completing corrections before certification.