Probe alleged AI-generated photos, manipulation of INEC voter register, SERAP tells Tinubu
AI Executive Briefing
Verified Synthesis~26s readThe Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu “to direct Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to promptly, thoroughly, independently and effectively investigate the reported introduction of suspected artificial intelligence (AI)-generated photographs, alleged alterations to personal data and other questionable records in the preliminary Register of Voters published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).” SERAP’s letter follows INEC’s publication of the preliminary Register of Voters and its subsequent acknowledgement of suspected AI-generated photographs and questionable registration records identified during the nationwide display of the register from 9 to 15 October 2026. SERAP urged him “to ensure that the NDPC establishes the nature and extent of the reported irregularities, determines whether any personal data breach has occurred under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, identifies those responsible, and ensures that affected Nigerians can verify and correct their records without being unfairly excluded from the electoral process.” In the letter dated 31 October 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “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: “The security and accuracy of the voter register are fundamental to the protection of Nigerians’ personal data and their right to participate in public affairs.
Context & Background
- ✦If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions and other lawful measures to compel your government, the NDPC, INEC and other relevant authorities to comply with our requests in the public interest.” “The proposed investigation should establish the nature and extent of the reported irregularities, including the number and geographical distribution of affected records, when and how they were created or altered, and the persons or institutions responsible.” “The introduction of questionable records, including photographs suspected to have been artificially generated, raises legitimate concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the register and the safeguards protecting its integrity.” “SERAP is concerned that the reported irregularities may involve the unlawful alteration or processing of personal data, possible misuse of authorised access credentials and failures to ensure the accuracy, integrity and security of personal data held and processed by INEC.” “SERAP urges you to ensure that the NDPC conducts an independent forensic examination of the affected database and systems to determine whether personal data were unlawfully accessed or altered and whether INEC complied with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.” “SERAP further urges you to ensure that the NDPC determines whether the incidents constitute a personal data breach under section 65 of the Act and whether INEC has complied with its applicable notification and record-keeping obligations.” “Where violations are established, appropriate corrective measures should be required, including stronger security safeguards and accessible procedures for affected voters to verify and correct their records without wrongful exclusion.” “The NDPC should publish its findings and recommendations, subject to lawful protections, and ensure accountability where wrongdoing is established.” “According to INEC’s statement of 27 October 2026, the Commission acknowledged public concerns regarding ‘suspected AI-generated photographs appearing in the Preliminary Register of Voters’ published on its website.” “INEC stated that, during the physical display of the register nationwide from 9 to 15 October 2026, ‘a number of questionable registration records were identified and flagged for further examination’.
Key Figures & Named Entities
15 October:The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu “to direct Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to promptly, thoroughly, independently and effectively investigate the reported introduction of suspected artificial intelligence (AI)-generated photographs, alleged alterations to personal data and other questionable records in the preliminary Register of Voters published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).” SERAP’s letter follows INEC’s publication of the preliminary Register of Voters and its subsequent acknowledgement of suspected AI-generated photographs and questionable registration records identified during the nationwide display of the register from 9 to 15 October 2026.2023:SERAP urged him “to ensure that the NDPC establishes the nature and extent of the reported irregularities, determines whether any personal data breach has occurred under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, identifies those responsible, and ensures that affected Nigerians can verify and correct their records without being unfairly excluded from the electoral process.” In the letter dated 31 October 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “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: “The security and accuracy of the voter register are fundamental to the protection of Nigerians’ personal data and their right to participate in public affairs.2023:If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions and other lawful measures to compel your government, the NDPC, INEC and other relevant authorities to comply with our requests in the public interest.” “The proposed investigation should establish the nature and extent of the reported irregularities, including the number and geographical distribution of affected records, when and how they were created or altered, and the persons or institutions responsible.” “The introduction of questionable records, including photographs suspected to have been artificially generated, raises legitimate concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the register and the safeguards protecting its integrity.” “SERAP is concerned that the reported irregularities may involve the unlawful alteration or processing of personal data, possible misuse of authorised access credentials and failures to ensure the accuracy, integrity and security of personal data held and processed by INEC.” “SERAP urges you to ensure that the NDPC conducts an independent forensic examination of the affected database and systems to determine whether personal data were unlawfully accessed or altered and whether INEC complied with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.” “SERAP further urges you to ensure that the NDPC determines whether the incidents constitute a personal data breach under section 65 of the Act and whether INEC has complied with its applicable notification and record-keeping obligations.” “Where violations are established, appropriate corrective measures should be required, including stronger security safeguards and accessible procedures for affected voters to verify and correct their records without wrongful exclusion.” “The NDPC should publish its findings and recommendations, subject to lawful protections, and ensure accountability where wrongdoing is established.” “According to INEC’s statement of 27 October 2026, the Commission acknowledged public concerns regarding ‘suspected AI-generated photographs appearing in the Preliminary Register of Voters’ published on its website.” “INEC stated that, during the physical display of the register nationwide from 9 to 15 October 2026, ‘a number of questionable registration records were identified and flagged for further examination’.
Outlook & Next Steps
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Key Takeaways
Verified Extract- The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu “to direct Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to promptly, thoroughly, independently and effectively investigate the reported introduction of suspected artificial intelligence (AI)-generated photographs, alleged alterations to personal data and other questionable records in the preliminary Register of Voters published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).” SERAP’s letter follows INEC’s publication of the preliminary Register of Voters and its subsequent acknowledgement of suspected AI-generated photographs and questionable registration records identified during the nationwide display of the register from 9 to 15 October 2026.
- SERAP urged him “to ensure that the NDPC establishes the nature and extent of the reported irregularities, determines whether any personal data breach has occurred under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, identifies those responsible, and ensures that affected Nigerians can verify and correct their records without being unfairly excluded from the electoral process.” In the letter dated 31 October 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “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: “The security and accuracy of the voter register are fundamental to the protection of Nigerians’ personal data and their right to participate in public affairs.
- If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions and other lawful measures to compel your government, the NDPC, INEC and other relevant authorities to comply with our requests in the public interest.” “The proposed investigation should establish the nature and extent of the reported irregularities, including the number and geographical distribution of affected records, when and how they were created or altered, and the persons or institutions responsible.” “The introduction of questionable records, including photographs suspected to have been artificially generated, raises legitimate concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the register and the safeguards protecting its integrity.” “SERAP is concerned that the reported irregularities may involve the unlawful alteration or processing of personal data, possible misuse of authorised access credentials and failures to ensure the accuracy, integrity and security of personal data held and processed by INEC.” “SERAP urges you to ensure that the NDPC conducts an independent forensic examination of the affected database and systems to determine whether personal data were unlawfully accessed or altered and whether INEC complied with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.” “SERAP further urges you to ensure that the NDPC determines whether the incidents constitute a personal data breach under section 65 of the Act and whether INEC has complied with its applicable notification and record-keeping obligations.” “Where violations are established, appropriate corrective measures should be required, including stronger security safeguards and accessible procedures for affected voters to verify and correct their records without wrongful exclusion.” “The NDPC should publish its findings and recommendations, subject to lawful protections, and ensure accountability where wrongdoing is established.” “According to INEC’s statement of 27 October 2026, the Commission acknowledged public concerns regarding ‘suspected AI-generated photographs appearing in the Preliminary Register of Voters’ published on its website.” “INEC stated that, during the physical display of the register nationwide from 9 to 15 October 2026, ‘a number of questionable registration records were identified and flagged for further examination’.
Key Facts:15 October: The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu “to direct Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to promptly, thoroughly, independently and effectively investigate the reported introduction of suspected artificial intelligence (AI)-generated photographs, alleged alterations to personal data and other questionable records in the preliminary Register of Voters published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).” SERAP’s letter follows INEC’s publication of the preliminary Register of Voters and its subsequent acknowledgement of suspected AI-generated photographs and questionable registration records identified during the nationwide display of the register from 9 to 15 October 2026.2023: SERAP urged him “to ensure that the NDPC establishes the nature and extent of the reported irregularities, determines whether any personal data breach has occurred under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, identifies those responsible, and ensures that affected Nigerians can verify and correct their records without being unfairly excluded from the electoral process.” In the letter dated 31 October 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “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: “The security and accuracy of the voter register are fundamental to the protection of Nigerians’ personal data and their right to participate in public affairs.2023: If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions and other lawful measures to compel your government, the NDPC, INEC and other relevant authorities to comply with our requests in the public interest.” “The proposed investigation should establish the nature and extent of the reported irregularities, including the number and geographical distribution of affected records, when and how they were created or altered, and the persons or institutions responsible.” “The introduction of questionable records, including photographs suspected to have been artificially generated, raises legitimate concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the register and the safeguards protecting its integrity.” “SERAP is concerned that the reported irregularities may involve the unlawful alteration or processing of personal data, possible misuse of authorised access credentials and failures to ensure the accuracy, integrity and security of personal data held and processed by INEC.” “SERAP urges you to ensure that the NDPC conducts an independent forensic examination of the affected database and systems to determine whether personal data were unlawfully accessed or altered and whether INEC complied with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.” “SERAP further urges you to ensure that the NDPC determines whether the incidents constitute a personal data breach under section 65 of the Act and whether INEC has complied with its applicable notification and record-keeping obligations.” “Where violations are established, appropriate corrective measures should be required, including stronger security safeguards and accessible procedures for affected voters to verify and correct their records without wrongful exclusion.” “The NDPC should publish its findings and recommendations, subject to lawful protections, and ensure accountability where wrongdoing is established.” “According to INEC’s statement of 27 October 2026, the Commission acknowledged public concerns regarding ‘suspected AI-generated photographs appearing in the Preliminary Register of Voters’ published on its website.” “INEC stated that, during the physical display of the register nationwide from 9 to 15 October 2026, ‘a number of questionable registration records were identified and flagged for further examination’.15 December: The Commission said it had commenced a review and was taking ‘appropriate corrective action’.” “INEC also acknowledged that the online publication ‘does not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities’ and that it was ‘examining the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses’.” “The Commission stated that the preliminary register was not the final certified register and undertook to complete the necessary verification, adjudication and data-cleanup processes before certifying the final Register of Voters on 15 December 2026.” “INEC has reportedly acknowledged the existence of questionable voter-registration records and indicated that some registration officers may have used their official access credentials to introduce irregular records, including photographs suspected to have been generated using artificial intelligence.” “While the Commission has indicated that it is reviewing the matter, an independent investigation by the NDPC is necessary to establish the full circumstances, determine the extent of the irregularities and ensure accountability.” “An internal review by INEC cannot substitute for the NDPC’s independent exercise of its statutory data-protection mandate.” “The reported irregularities in INEC’s voter-registration database are particularly concerning because the database contains the personal data of millions of Nigerians and is fundamental to the exercise of their constitutional and democratic rights.” “Any unlawful alteration, manipulation or compromise of this information could undermine public confidence in the electoral process, compromise the accuracy and reliability of the voters’ register, and expose eligible voters to the risk of wrongful exclusion.” “The Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 gives the NDPC clear powers to investigate possible violations, obtain relevant information and documents, and require compliance by data controllers and processors.
Editorial Excerpt
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu “to direct Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to promptly, thoroughly, independently and effectively investigate the reported...
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
What is the latest development regarding Independent National Electoral Commission?
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu “to direct Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to promptly, thoroughly, independently and effectively investigate the reported introduction of suspected artificial intelligence (AI)-generated photographs, alleged alterations to personal data and other questionable records in the preliminary Register of Voters published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).” SERAP’s letter follows INEC’s publication of the preliminary Register of Voters and its subsequent acknowledgement of suspected AI-generated photographs and questionable registration records identified during the nationwide display of the register from 9 to 15 October 2026.
Who are the key organizations or public figures mentioned?
The primary parties identified in this coverage include Independent National Electoral Commission, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
What timeline or key figures were confirmed?
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu “to direct Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to promptly, thoroughly, independently and effectively investigate the reported introduction of suspected artificial intelligence (AI)-generated photographs, alleged alterations to personal data and other questionable records in the preliminary Register of Voters published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).” SERAP’s letter follows INEC’s publication of the preliminary Register of Voters and its subsequent acknowledgement of suspected AI-generated photographs and questionable registration records identified during the nationwide display of the register from 9 to 15 October 2026.
