The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed artificial intelligence-generated photographs discovered on the national voters’ register and initiated disciplinary proceedings against officials involved in the irregularity across 10 states.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this during a webinar titled “AI, Misinformation and Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Safeguarding the Truth, Protecting the Vote,” organised by the PUNCH Media Foundation.
Haruna described the use of AI-generated images in voter registration as a significant challenge for the electoral body, noting that advancements in technology have made it increasingly difficult to detect manipulated photographs before they are uploaded.
According to him, the commission had already identified and removed several AI-generated images from the voters’ register.
“We have already seen one of the challenges, which is that a lot of AI-generated photographs were posted onto the voters’ register, which, as we have said, we have had to take down,” he said.
The commissioner explained that while it is difficult to completely prevent members of the public from altering or enhancing their photographs before submission, INEC has greater control over cases involving its own personnel.
He disclosed that investigations had revealed the involvement of some officials in the practice and that those responsible had been identified and flagged for disciplinary measures.
“But the ones involving our own staff, where it is our own staff that did so, that one is within our control. We are in the process of addressing it. They have been flagged,” Haruna stated.
He further revealed that the affected officials were spread across about 10 states and would face appropriate sanctions.
“We have their names across about 10 states, and obviously, they are going to face disciplinary action,” he added.
On efforts to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the electoral process, Haruna said INEC had developed an AI policy framework that is currently being refined.
He noted that artificial intelligence remains an evolving field, making it challenging for many countries, including advanced democracies, to establish comprehensive regulations.
“As you know very well, it is new territory. Even the most advanced countries do not have what you might call concrete, specific policies about AI because these things are evolving,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Haruna said the commission had already outlined plans for how it intends to deploy AI and would soon finalise its policy for public review.
According to him, INEC remains committed to ensuring that emerging technologies are used responsibly while safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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