The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) voters’ register for the 2027 general elections has come under scrutiny after Nigerians reported suspected AI-generated photographs, deceased persons and restrictions on access to the online database.
The controversy erupted on Monday evening after the commission uploaded the preliminary register to its website, following calls by opposition figures and other stakeholders for wider public access to the list ahead of the elections.
The publication also came after INEC missed the deadline stipulated by the Electoral Act, further drawing attention to the commission’s handling of the voter registration process.
Pat Utomi, professor of political economy, was among those who raised concerns, sharing images allegedly showing AI-generated photographs attached to voter records in polling units in Edo State.
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“INEC cannot afford to be careless with the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process. The presence of AI-generated images in a register meant to support our democracy raises serious questions about verification, transparency and accountability. Our democracy is at stake here!” Utomi wrote on X on Tuesday.
BusinessDay confirmed that the polling unit register Utomi shared was available on the commission’s website.
Other users, however, reported encountering viewing limits while trying to access the database. An X user, @TheAjakemanger, shared a screenshot displaying the message, “You’ve reached a viewing limit,” and questioned why access to the register was restricted.
“Dear @inecnigeria, what is this criminality? Like what is this nonsense? How can you put a limit on the viewing of the register?” the user wrote.
Another user, @Onye_e, alleged that the preliminary register for his polling unit contained more than 20 deceased persons among the entries he examined.
He said the polling unit had 1,432 registered voters and questioned why deceased persons, including someone who reportedly died more than 12 years ago, remained on the list.
Some Nigerians living abroad have also reported difficulty accessing the platform, raising concerns about whether the online publication offers the wider public access the law intended.
The complaints have put the accuracy of the preliminary register and the effectiveness of INEC’s procedures for verifying and updating voters’ records under scrutiny ahead of the 2027 elections.
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INEC confirms concerns
INEC has acknowledged the presence of questionable registration records in the preliminary register, saying it had identified and flagged some entries for further examination during the physical display exercise conducted nationwide between October 9 and 15.
In a statement on Tuesday, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, chairman of the commission’s Information and Voter Education Committee, said the online register published on October 26 was the same preliminary list physically displayed at Registration Areas nationwide.
He explained that the online publication contained the original preliminary register and did not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities.
“The online publication represents the original preliminary register and does not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities,” Haruna said.
According to him, the commission had commenced reviewing the questionable records and taking corrective action in line with established procedures. INEC also said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses, and would take appropriate action based on verified findings.
The commission said the preliminary register was not the final certified list, explaining that the display, claims and objections exercise was designed to allow voters to identify inaccuracies and irregularities before certification.
The exercise was conducted under Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2026, which provides for public scrutiny of the register and the submission of claims and objections by registered voters.
INEC said it would complete its verification, adjudication and data-clean-up processes ahead of the scheduled certification of the final register on December 15, 2026.
Taofeek Oyedokun is a correspondent at BusinessDay with years of experience reporting on political economy, public policy, migration, environment/climate change, and social justice. A graduate of Political Science from the University of Lagos, he has also earned multiple professional certificates in journalism and media-related training. Known for his clear, data-driven reporting, Oyedokun covers a wide range of national and international socioeconomic issues, bringing depth, balance, and public-interest focus to his work.
