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INEC Removes AI-Faked Photos From Voters’ Register, Moves Against Officials in 10 States
INEC Removes AI-Faked Photos From Voters’ Register, Moves Against Officials in 10 States
INEC says it has removed artificial intelligence-generated photographs discovered on the national voters’ register.
Officials implicated in uploading the manipulated images have been identified across 10 states and flagged for disciplinary action.
National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna says the commission faces challenges preventing members of the public from digitally altering photographs before submission.
INEC says it has developed an artificial intelligence policy and is working to finalise it ahead of the 2027 general elections.
November 11, () – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed artificial intelligence-generated photographs uploaded to the national voters’ register and flagged officials implicated in the practice across 10 states for disciplinary action.
The commission disclosed that it had identified personnel involved in the uploading of the manipulated photographs, adding that their names had been documented and appropriate disciplinary measures were being initiated.
INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this on Wednesday during a webinar titled, ‘AI, Misinformation and Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Safeguarding the Truth, Protecting the Vote’, organised by the PUNCH Media Foundation.
Haruna, who is also Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, described the development as one of the challenges confronting the commission as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly accessible.
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He said INEC had discovered several AI-generated photographs on the voters’ register and subsequently removed them.
“We have already seen one of the challenges, which is that a lot of AI-generated photographs were posted onto the voters’ register, which, as we have said, we have had to take down,” he said.
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The national commissioner explained that although the commission might find it difficult to prevent members of the public from digitally enhancing or manipulating their photographs before uploading them for registration, it had greater control over violations involving its own personnel.
According to him, officials found to have participated in the practice had been identified and flagged for disciplinary action.
“But the ones involving our own staff, where it is our own staff that did so, that one is within our control. We are in the process of addressing it. They have been flagged,” Haruna said.
Providing further details, he disclosed that the implicated officials had been identified across approximately 10 states and would face disciplinary measures.
“We have their names across about 10 states, and obviously, they are going to face disciplinary action,” he added.
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INEC Identifies Challenges in Detecting Manipulated Photographs
Haruna acknowledged that the increasing sophistication and accessibility of artificial intelligence tools presented fresh challenges for the commission, particularly in verifying the authenticity of photographs submitted by prospective voters.
He explained that INEC had limited control over the process through which members of the public digitally altered or enhanced their photographs before uploading them to the voters’ register.
The disclosure comes as the commission intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the growing use of artificial intelligence introducing new concerns about the integrity of electoral processes and the accuracy of voter registration records.
The use of AI-generated images and other forms of digital manipulation has also emerged as a concern for electoral authorities seeking to protect the credibility of information used in election administration.
Commission Develops AI Policy Ahead of 2027 Elections
On INEC’s preparedness to regulate artificial intelligence in the electoral process, Haruna disclosed that the commission had developed an AI policy but was still working to finalise the document.
He explained that the rapid evolution of the technology had made it difficult for countries, including advanced democracies, to establish comprehensive regulatory frameworks governing its use.
According to him, artificial intelligence remains an evolving area, requiring electoral institutions to continually assess its implications and develop appropriate responses.
“As you know very well, it is new territory out there. Even the most advanced countries don’t have what you might call concrete, specific policies about AI because these things are evolving,” he said.
Haruna, however, said INEC had already outlined its proposed approach to deploying and managing the technology within the electoral system.
He assured that the commission would soon conclude work on the policy and make it available to the media for public consideration.
“But we have at least some ideas of what we want to do and how we want to use that. We have that policy. Very soon, we will concretise it, and we will be able to share it with the media,” he said.
The commission’s disclosure comes as preparations gather momentum for the 2027 general elections, with INEC expected to contend with emerging technological challenges in voter registration, election management and the dissemination of electoral information.
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