2027: Kwankwaso Demands Independent Audit Of Voter Register Over Suspected AI Images

Vice-Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called for an independent audit of the preliminary voters’ register released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following reports of suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs.

Kwankwaso, in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday night, said the allegations raised serious concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s voter registration system and the safeguards put in place to protect the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

He urged INEC to provide Nigerians with clear explanations on how the suspicious images entered the register, whether the individuals associated with the records were genuinely registered and whether their identities were properly verified.
The former Kano State governor also questioned whether the alleged irregularities could have affected the accuracy of the preliminary register.

While acknowledging INEC’s decision to investigate the matter, Kwankwaso insisted that Nigerians deserved more than assurances, demanding a thorough, transparent and independent investigation conducted outside the commission’s internal structures.

He said the findings should be made public, while anyone found culpable should be held accountable in accordance with the law.
“While I welcome INEC’s decision to investigate the matter, Nigerians deserve more than assurances,” he said, stressing the need for an investigation capable of establishing the facts and restoring public confidence in the electoral process.

Kwankwaso further called on the electoral commission to permit a comprehensive and independent audit of the preliminary register to identify and verify questionable entries, investigate possible duplicate or artificial identities and ensure that eligible voters were not disenfranchised in the process of correcting any irregularities.
He warned that efforts to sanitise the register must not inadvertently deprive genuine voters of their constitutional right to participate in the elections.

“Our democracy cannot afford any compromise in the integrity of the voter register. Every eligible Nigerian must have the right to vote, and every vote must count,” he stated.

The NDC vice-presidential candidate also cautioned against the misuse of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to undermine the electoral system, arguing that the integrity of the voter register was fundamental to credible elections.
“The credibility of the 2027 elections begins with a credible voter register, and INEC must get its act together,” Kwankwaso added.

The controversy comes as preparations gradually gather momentum for the 2027 general elections, with the accuracy of the voters’ register remaining a critical element in ensuring transparent and credible polls.
INEC’s preliminary register is an important instrument for identifying eligible voters and helping to prevent electoral irregularities. Allegations of fabricated identities, duplicate entries or manipulated photographs therefore raise questions about the effectiveness of the verification processes used in compiling the register.

However, the reported presence of suspected AI-generated images does not, in itself, establish that fraudulent registrations occurred or that the electoral process was compromised. A credible investigation would need to establish the authenticity of the disputed records, determine how they entered the register and assess whether any electoral laws were violated.

Kwankwaso’s demand for an independent audit underscores the need for transparency and public accountability as Nigeria moves towards the 2027 elections.