Kwankwasiyya Group Faults INEC Over Suspected AI-Generated Images In Voter Register, Demands Accountability | Sahara Reporters
The group said the discovery raised serious concerns about INEC’s voter registration, verification and data-integrity procedures, warning that Nigerians would not tolerate a compromised voter register.
The Kwankwasiyya Amana X (KAX) has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over suspected artificial intelligence (AI)-generated photographs and identical or near-identical images appearing on multiple voter profiles in the commission’s preliminary register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
KAX is a support group affiliated with the Kwankwasiyya Movement, a grassroots political and ideological movement in Nigeria founded by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)’s vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The group said the discovery raised serious concerns about INEC’s voter registration, verification and data-integrity procedures, warning that Nigerians would not tolerate a compromised voter register.
In a press statement dated October 28, 2026, and signed by its management, KAX said the questionable entries in the preliminary register published online on October 26 exposed weaknesses in the electoral body’s internal verification systems.
“Credible reports of suspected AI-generated photographs, identical or near-identical images used for multiple distinct individuals and other questionable entries in the preliminary voter register published online on 26 October 2026 represent a fundamental failure of registration, verification and data-integrity systems,” the statement said.
The group questioned how the photographs passed through the commission’s verification procedures despite concerns raised by independent observers and members of the public.
“How did photographs that independent observers and citizens immediately flagged as non-authentic clear INEC’s internal checks?” KAX asked.
It also questioned the effectiveness of the commission’s biometric, facial-recognition and manual verification procedures, demanding an explanation for how the questionable images appeared in the voter database.
“What biometric, facial-recognition or manual verification protocols failed?” the statement asked.
The group criticised INEC for relying on the preliminary status of the register and promising to clean up the records before the final register is certified, arguing that Nigerians deserved an immediate and transparent explanation of the problem.
“Why has the Commission offered only procedural explanations and promises of future cleanup rather than an immediate, transparent accounting of the scale of the problem?” it asked.
KAX said the lessons of the 2023 general elections should have prompted stronger safeguards and greater transparency in the management of the electoral process.
“The lessons of the 2023 elections demanded stronger safeguards and greater openness. Instead, Nigerians are again confronting evidence that the foundational register for the 2027 elections contains material that raises legitimate doubts about its reliability,” the statement said.
The group maintained that the preliminary status of the register did not excuse the appearance of questionable records, insisting that the electoral body must take responsibility for ensuring the accuracy of voter information.
“A preliminary register is no excuse for compromised data,” it stated.
It further argued that INEC’s assurances of future corrections were insufficient to address concerns about the credibility of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 elections.
“INEC’s reliance on the register’s preliminary status and future certification is inadequate. Nigerians demand transparency, accountability and a credible voter register — not delayed assurances that further deepen public distrust ahead of the 2027 elections,” the group said.
The criticism follows reports by SaharaReporters on Tuesday that suspected AI-generated photographs had appeared on multiple voter profiles on INEC’s official website, raising questions about the verification of voter information ahead of the 2027 elections.
SaharaReporters observed the images while examining the commission’s online voter register. Among the profiles examined were those bearing the names Ealefoh Oritsenoma, Ebamenbhegbe Besi, Ebhohimen Godwin, Jacob Gabriel, Maniru Noah, Matthew Isaac and Odion Bibi. The voter identification numbers displayed alongside the profiles were partially masked.
The findings prompted questions about the authenticity of the photographs, the procedures used to verify submitted information and the safeguards protecting the electoral database against potentially fabricated images.
In a statement issued on October 27, INEC acknowledged concerns about the suspicious photographs, saying it was reviewing questionable records and investigating possible technical or procedural lapses.
The statement, signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, chairman of the commission’s Information and Voter Education Committee, explained that the online register published on October 26 was the same preliminary register physically displayed at registration areas nationwide from October 9 to 15.
The display exercise allows members of the public to inspect voter records, identify inaccuracies and irregularities, and request corrections before the final register is certified.
INEC said some questionable records had been identified and flagged for further examination, adding that corrective measures were underway.
“The online publication represents the original preliminary register and does not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities,” the commission stated.
It stressed that the preliminary register was not the final certified register and that the review was intended to identify and correct irregularities before certification.
“The Commission is also examining the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses, and will take appropriate action based on verified findings,” INEC said.
The commission said it would address verified irregularities through the applicable procedures and provide further updates as the review progressed. The final Register of Voters is scheduled to be certified on December 15, 2026.
The appearance of the suspicious photographs has also drawn criticism from Nigerian political economist and professor Pat Utomi, who warned that the issue could undermine confidence in the electoral process if left unaddressed.
In a post on X, Utomi called on the electoral commission to take the matter seriously and ensure that voter information was properly verified.
“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!” he wrote.
The controversy comes amid growing scrutiny of the use of artificial intelligence in elections and concerns about the potential for AI-generated images and other synthetic content to be mistaken for authentic information.
It also comes weeks after INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, announced plans to deploy AI tools to strengthen result verification and cybersecurity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As previously reported by SaharaReporters, Amupitan disclosed on October 6 that the commission had established a dedicated AI division within its Information and Communications Technology department.
He also said automated AI auditing tools had been integrated into the commission’s result verification process under a five-pillar AI governance framework requiring human oversight.
“An AI governance framework policy is being finalised by the commission,” Amupitan said.
According to the chairman, INEC was working with international technology companies and other partners to integrate AI-powered anomaly detection tools into its systems to monitor database traffic and protect against cyber intrusions and unauthorised alterations.
The discovery of suspected AI-generated photographs in the voter register has raised questions about the safeguards protecting the commission’s own database as it prepares to deploy AI tools in other aspects of the electoral process.
The commission’s proposed use of artificial intelligence has also attracted criticism from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), which accused INEC of planning to manipulate the 2027 general elections in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, and titled “INEC’s Plan To Rig The 2027 General Elections With AI,” the party questioned the timing of the proposed deployment and called for greater scrutiny of the technology.
“INEC is plotting to rig the 2027 general elections in favour of the ruinous APC by deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI). Suddenly, AI has become an attractive tool for the election management body,” the party said.