The camp of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a detailed explanation of how suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other questionable records entered the preliminary voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Paul Ibe, media adviser to Atiku, who is associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said INEC’s explanation that some registration officers introduced irregular records into its database had raised concerns about the commission’s screening and verification procedures.

Ibe demanded that the electoral body disclose how the affected records were submitted, the checks conducted before their inclusion and the number of entries currently under investigation. He also called for details of their geographical distribution and the proportion they represent in the preliminary register.

The criticism followed comments by INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode, who said some registration officers across the country allegedly used their login credentials to introduce questionable records into the system. Bayode made the disclosure during an appearance on Arise Television on Friday, October 30, 2026.

According to reports of the interview, the commission detected irregularities after deploying its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) to examine the database. Bayode said some photographs were suspected to be AI-generated, while other entries resulted from poor registration procedures. He said he could not establish why the officers involved had introduced the questionable records.

The controversy intensified after images circulated online showing entries in the preliminary register, including records reportedly linked to a polling unit in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State. INEC had earlier said it was reviewing flagged records and stressed that the preliminary register was not the final certified list. The commission has scheduled December 15, 2026, for certification of the final register.

Ibe also raised concerns about possible duplicate identities, underage registrations and fictitious entries, arguing that the commission should address these questions with evidence rather than relying solely on assurances that the register remains preliminary. He called for an independent forensic audit involving political parties and credible civil society organisations, as well as the preservation of relevant audit records.

He further urged INEC to publish the investigation’s findings and corrective measures without exposing voters’ personal information. Ibe said anyone found responsible for misconduct should face appropriate sanctions, while eligible voters must be protected from wrongful removal during the verification process.

INEC’s ongoing review will be important in determining the scale and nature of the irregularities, whether they resulted from deliberate misconduct or procedural failures, and what safeguards will prevent a recurrence. The commission has said it is examining the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs and will take appropriate action based on verified findings.