INEC’s 103.4m Voter Figures a ‘Fantasy’, Odinkalu Insists
By Elochukwu Benjamin | Ichie Times
Human rights activist and legal scholar, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has questioned the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) preliminary register of voters, demanding an independent technical review following concerns over suspected AI-generated photographs in the register.
Odinkalu, reacting on Wednesday to INEC’s clarification on the controversy on his official X page, described the Commission’s explanation as inadequate.
He argued that the discovery of suspicious registration records raised serious questions about the integrity of the voter registration process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC had in a statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, its Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), acknowledged public concerns over suspected AI-generated photographs in the preliminary register published on its website on October 26.
The Commission explained that the online register was the same preliminary register physically displayed at Registration Areas nationwide from October 9 to 15.
The Commission said some questionable registration records had been identified during the physical display and flagged for further examination, adding that the online publication did not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities.
It also stated that it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses, and would take appropriate action based on verified findings.
However, Odinkalu argued that the explanation was insufficient, insisting that the allegations required an independent investigation rather than allowing the same system under scrutiny to handle the process of identifying and correcting the irregularities.
He maintained that INEC’s voter registration procedure required citizens to appear physically for photographic capture, raising questions about how suspicious photographs could have entered the register.
According to him, the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregularities warrant an independent technical review and reconciliation process to establish the extent of the problem and restore public confidence.
Odinkalu proposed that the review should allow observers from all registered political parties fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections, as well as representatives of organised labour, the media, civil society and religious organisations.
He argued that such participation would improve the credibility and transparency of the exercise, warning that anything short of an independent process could fuel suspicions of a cover-up.
The activist also criticised opposition parties for what he described as their inadequate response to the controversy, expressing concern that their apparent detachment could undermine efforts to ensure a credible electoral process.
INEC, however, maintained that the preliminary register was not the final certified register and that the display, claims and objections exercise was designed to enable public scrutiny, identify inaccuracies and facilitate corrections before certification.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to completing the necessary verification, adjudication and data-cleanup processes ahead of the scheduled certification of the final register of voters on December 15, 2026.
It also assured Nigerians that verified irregularities would be addressed in accordance with established procedures and that further updates would be provided as the review progressed.
