Rabiu Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for 2027, on Wednesday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to explain suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs found in its preliminary voter register, warning against any manipulation of next year’s polls.
He was reacting to reports of questionable images and records in the register INEC published online earlier this month.
“I am deeply concerned by reports of suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other questionable records in the preliminary register of voters published by the Independent National Electoral Commission,” Kwankwaso said.
“Clear and convincing answers”
He said the allegations raised serious doubts about the integrity of voter registration and the safeguards protecting the credibility of the elections.
“With the 2027 elections approaching, INEC must provide Nigerians with clear and convincing answers. How did these suspicious images enter the register? Were the individuals associated with these records genuinely registered? Were the identities properly verified, and could these irregularities have affected the accuracy of the voter register?” he asked.
Independent probe demanded
Kwankwaso welcomed INEC’s decision to investigate but said Nigerians deserved more than assurances.
“The investigation must be thorough, transparent and independent (outside of INEC’s internal affairs), with its findings made public and any individuals found culpable held accountable in accordance with the law,” he said.
He called for a comprehensive, independent audit of the preliminary register, verification of questionable entries, and a probe into possible duplicate or artificial identities. He said no eligible Nigerian should be disenfranchised while irregularities are corrected.
“Our democracy cannot afford any compromise in the integrity of the voter register. Every eligible Nigerian must have the right to vote, and every vote must count. Equally, nobody should be allowed to exploit technology, including artificial intelligence, to undermine our electoral system,” he said.
