Stakeholders across government, traditional institutions, labour unions, political parties, civil society and the media on Wednesday converged at the Unity Hall, Old Government House, Asaba, for a sensitisation and advocacy engagement on the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Delta State Government raised concern over low turnout recorded during the first phase.
The engagement, held on January 21, 2026, was organised by INEC in collaboration with the Delta State Government to deepen public awareness and galvanise grassroots participation ahead of the ongoing second phase of the CVR exercise.
Speaking at the event, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, expressed dissatisfaction with the turnout from the first phase of the CVR, which recorded 76,667 registrants across the state. Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, the Governor described the figure as far below expectations for a state of Delta’s population and democratic consciousness.
He stressed that voter registration remains the foundation of democratic participation and called on traditional rulers, political party leaders, religious bodies, youth and women groups, civil society organisations, market associations and the media to take ownership of the CVR campaign by driving sustained mobilisation at the grassroots.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for INEC to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities, expressing optimism that the second phase of the exercise would record a significant improvement.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, said the engagement was prompted by declining civic participation and voter apathy. He noted that while INEC conducts elections, citizens must actively participate through voter registration, adding that those who fail to vote forfeit the moral right to complain about governance outcomes.
Delivering a comprehensive address, the Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Sir Etekamba Udo Umoren, thanked Governor Oborevwori for facilitating the engagement, describing it as a practical demonstration of the Governor’s MORE Agenda of creating opportunities for all.
Sir Umoren outlined the timeline of the first phase of the CVR, which commenced with online pre-registration on August 18, 2025, followed by physical registration at all 25 INEC Local Government Area offices and the State Headquarters in Asaba from August 25, 2025. He explained that the first phase formally ended on December 10, 2025, after which the preliminary voters’ register was displayed from December 15 to 24, 2025, to allow for claims and objections in compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022.
According to him, the combined online and physical registrations yielded 76,667 registrants, a figure he described as only a fraction of Delta State’s eligible voting population. He stressed that every registration represents a voice and a stake in Nigeria’s democratic future, underscoring the need for intensified awareness and renewed civic commitment.
The REC explained that the CVR exercise accommodates first-time voters, citizens who missed previous registrations, those seeking correction of personal details, replacement of lost, damaged or unprinted Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), as well as voters wishing to transfer their registration to new locations.
He reiterated the eligibility criteria for registration, including Nigerian citizenship, attainment of 18 years, residency or origin within the registration area, and absence of legal incapacity to vote. Sir Umoren also emphasised ethical conduct by INEC officials, stressing integrity, impartiality, transparency, professionalism and inclusivity, particularly for persons with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women and nursing mothers.
He cautioned against registration offences such as multiple registrations, providing false information, unlawful possession or trading of PVCs, impersonation of officials and underage registration, noting that such offences attract fines ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦1 million and prison terms of one to five years, or both.
Announcing that the second phase of the CVR commenced on January 5, 2026, Sir Umoren described voter registration as the threshold of democratic participation, declaring that the PVC is not merely a card but a citizen’s instrument of voice and power.
He called on parents, youths, women groups, persons with disabilities, community leaders, faith-based organisations and the media to partner with INEC in spreading awareness across every community, while commending the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Delta State, for its mobilisation efforts.
The sensitisation programme, which featured a road walk led by the Deputy Governor, attracted a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo; Hon. Francis Waive, member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency; members of the State Executive Council and House of Assembly; Local Government Council Chairmen including Hon. Emmanuel Bazim Chinye Executive Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government; traditional rulers that have HRM, Agbogidi Obi Nduka, MNSE, JP, Obi of Issele-Uku.
Also were market women; civil society organisations; ALGON; IPAC; the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) with their National Treasurer, High Comrade Zico Okwudi as well as the President and Members of the State Executive Council in attendance.
The engagement underscored the strategic role of organised groups in driving voter education to grassroots communities across the state, while the convergence of stakeholders reinforced INEC’s commitment to inclusiveness, transparency and broad-based collaboration, and highlighted Delta State’s renewed determination to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process and ensure that no eligible voter is left behind in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
