On 20 June 2026, an image circulated on X showing a dense crowd of people standing in an orderly queue. The accompanying caption claimed that the scene showed “Ekiti people waiting to sell their votes,” implying widespread voter inducement on election day.
CLAIM: AI-generated image claiming “Ekiti people waiting to sell their votes”
VERIFICATION:
Visual analysis of the image indicates that it is AI-generated and not a real photograph from any polling unit in the ongoing election in Ekiti State.
The image contains several clear indicators of synthetic generation. The crowd appears unusually uniform, with repetitive and indistinct facial features that lack natural variation. The spatial arrangement of people also appears overly smooth and artificial, with inconsistent depth and perspective typical of AI-generated imagery. In addition, there are no identifiable polling unit elements such as INEC officials, ballot boxes, accreditation materials, or signage that would ordinarily be present in a real election-day scene.
Contextually, there is also no credible evidence from election observers, INEC updates, or reputable media reports confirming the existence of organised queues of citizens “waiting to sell votes” as depicted in the image. While vote buying remains a known concern in the Ekiti governorship election, this image does not depict that.
The timing of the post and its framing also align with a growing pattern of AI-generated disinformation during elections, in which synthetic images are circulated to exaggerate misconduct, manipulate public perception, and undermine trust in the electoral process.
VERDICT: FALSE
The viral image claiming to show “Ekiti people waiting to sell their votes” is false. It is AI-generated disinformation and does not depict a real scene from the Ekiti governorship election. The visual inconsistencies and lack of verifiable polling unit context confirm that the content is synthetic.
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