The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to conduct an independent investigation into suspected AI-generated photographs and other questionable records in the preliminary voter register published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a letter dated October 31, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP asked the President to direct the NDPC’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Vincent Olatunji, to investigate possible alterations to voters’ personal information and determine whether any breach of data protection laws occurred.
The organisation said the investigation should determine the nature and extent of the reported irregularities, identify those responsible and establish whether personal data had been accessed or altered unlawfully.
“The reported irregularities raise serious concerns about the security and integrity of Nigerians’ personal data and the reliability of the voter register ahead of the 2027 general elections,” SERAP said.
It also called for an independent forensic examination of the affected database and systems, including an assessment of the number and geographical distribution of questionable records, when and how they were created or altered, and who was responsible.
SERAP argued that INEC’s internal review should not replace an independent investigation by the data protection regulator.
“An internal review by INEC cannot substitute for the NDPC’s independent exercise of its statutory data-protection mandate,” the organisation said.
The group further urged the NDPC to determine whether the reported incidents constituted a personal data breach under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and whether INEC had complied with its obligations to protect voters’ information.
SERAP also called for stronger security safeguards and accessible procedures that would allow affected Nigerians to verify and correct their registration details without unfair exclusion from the electoral process. It asked that the regulator publish its findings and recommendations, subject to lawful protections.
The organisation gave the President and relevant authorities seven days from the receipt or publication of its letter to act, warning that it would consider legal action if its requests were not addressed.
The demand follows INEC’s October 27 clarification acknowledging public concerns over suspected AI-generated photographs in the preliminary voter register.
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The electoral commission said it had identified questionable registration records and flagged them for further examination during the nationwide physical display of the register, held from October 9 to 15.
INEC said it had begun reviewing the records and taking corrective action, while examining the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses.
The commission also clarified that the online register published on October 26 did not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities and stressed that it was not the final certified register.
INEC said it expected to complete the necessary verification, adjudication and data-cleanup processes before certifying the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.
The suspected photographs have raised questions about the accuracy and security of voter information ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. However, the circumstances surrounding the images and the extent of any irregularities remain subject to investigation.
SERAP said an independent examination was necessary to establish the facts, protect voters’ personal information and ensure accountability if any unlawful conduct was confirmed.
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