SERAP CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO SUSPECTED AI-GENERATED PHOTOS IN VOTERS’ REGISTER

A rights group,  Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked President BOLA TINUBU to direct the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), VINCENT OLATUNJI, to investigate suspected artificial intelligence (AI)-generated photographs and other questionable records in the preliminary Register of Voters published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a letter dated October 31, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, KOLAWOLE OLUWADARE, SERAP also wants the NDPC to determine whether personal data were unlawfully altered or accessed and whether the incidents constitute a breach of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, stressing that INEC’s acknowledgement of questionable records and suspected AI-generated photographs made an independent investigation particularly important.

The group therefore urged  TINUBU to ensure that the NDPC establishes the nature and extent of the irregularities, identifies those responsible and provides affected Nigerians with an opportunity to verify and correct their records without being unfairly excluded from the electoral process.

The call comes after 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 October 9 to 15, 2026.