SERAP Seeks Independent Probe of Suspected AI-Generated Photos in INEC Register
The rights group wants an independent examination of questionable records, while INEC says its preliminary register is undergoing review and correction.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called for an independent investigation into suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs and alleged alterations to personal information in Nigeria’s preliminary voter register, as the Independent National Electoral Commission reviews questionable entries.
In a letter dated October 31 and published on November 1, SERAP urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Nigeria Data Protection Commission to investigate the reported irregularities, establish their extent and determine whether Nigerians’ personal data had been compromised.
The demand raises questions about how the records entered the database, who was responsible and what safeguards will prevent eligible voters from being wrongly excluded.
INEC Says Review Is Underway
INEC acknowledged public concerns about suspicious photographs in an October 27 statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee.
The commission said questionable records had been flagged during the physical display of the preliminary register from October 9 to 15, with review and corrective action underway.
It explained that the version uploaded online on October 26 was the original preliminary register and did not reflect all ongoing cleanup activities.
INEC said it was examining possible technical or procedural lapses surrounding the suspicious photographs and would act on verified findings. It maintained that the register remained provisional, with verification, adjudication and corrections to precede its stated December 15 certification date.
What the 268 Flagged Records Mean
INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Lawrence Bayode, subsequently said its Automated Biometric Identification System had flagged 268 records for review, according to Channels Television.
His reported explanation covered suspected AI-generated photographs and other irregularities. The figure does not establish that 268 voters have been conclusively identified as fictitious.
Bayode also distinguished wholly AI-generated images from genuine photographs enhanced by software on mobile phones, saying the latter would not automatically justify excluding a voter.
In a separate account of his October 30 appearance on Arise Television, TheCable reported that Bayode linked some questionable registrations to officers who had access to the registration portal.
He alleged that some officers used their credentials to introduce irregular records. Bayode’s allegation does not establish the responsibility of individual officers or explain the motive behind the disputed entries.
SERAP Wants Scrutiny Beyond the Cleanup
SERAP’s proposed investigation would examine the affected database and systems, determine whether information was unlawfully accessed or altered, and identify those responsible where wrongdoing is established.
The organisation also requested accessible correction procedures for affected voters and publication of findings subject to lawful protections. It said it would consider legal action if the requested measures were not taken within seven days of receipt or publication of its letter.
Whether the NDPC has opened an investigation could not be independently confirmed at the time of this report.
For voters, the unresolved questions are practical: which records require correction, how affected people will be notified and what evidence INEC will provide that disputed entries have been resolved before certification.
