INEC blames registration officers for AI-generated photos in voters' register nationwide

INEC's ICT Director Dr Lawrence Bayode revealed on Arise TV Friday that registration officers across multiple states used their official login credentials to insert AI-generated photos and questionable entries into the preliminary voters' register. The commission's Automated Biometric System detected the irregularities before publication, and INEC is working to clean the register within the statutory 90-day deadline.

Bayode clarified that not all suspicious photos are AI-generated—some stem from poor registration practices by officers with system access. "We know what they did. We know how they did it, but honestly, I don't know why," he said. The irregularities span multiple states, not just isolated locations.

This matters because the preliminary register's integrity directly affects the 2027 general elections. Political stakeholders have raised alarms about potential manipulation. If registration officers can compromise the system, voter confidence in the entire electoral process erodes.

INEC has identified the culprits and methods through automated checks. The commission now faces pressure to prosecute involved officers and demonstrate the register's credibility before 2027. For voters, the key question: Will INEC's cleanup be transparent and complete enough to trust the final register, or should citizens demand independent verification?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/30/ai-generated-images-we-know-how-they-did-it-inec-reveals-culprits/