Voter apathy: 76,000 registrants recorded for Delta in first phase of CVR

* Oborevwori fumes, says figure not true reflection of Delta population strength and democratic consciousness

* Calls on stakeholders to mobilise masses for registration

By John Egie

Only 76,000 people have so far been recorded in the first phase of the ongoing Continous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Delta State.

This was disclosed by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori yesterday, during a sensitisation and advocacy engagement organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in collaboration with Delta State Government at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.

The governor expressed concern over the low turnout recorded in the state and urged stakeholders to intensify grassroot mobilisation ahead of the second phase commencing in January 2026.

Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Oborevwori described the registration figures from the first phase as far below expectations, noting that the 76,000 registrants recorded did not reflect the population strength and democratic consciousness of the state.

He stressed that voter registration remains the gateway to democratic participation and the foundation of a credible and inclusive electoral process.

Governor Oborevwori called on traditional rulers, political party leaders, religious bodies, civil society organisations, youth and women groups, market associations, and the media to take ownership of the CVR campaign by driving awareness directly to communities.

He particularly appealed to youths and first-time voters to seize the opportunity to register, describing them as the future of democracy.

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for INEC to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities and expressed optimism that the second phase of the exercise would record a significant improvement over the first.

Delta Commissioner of Information, Charles Aniagwu fielding questions from journalists during the occasion

Earlier in his welcome address, Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, said the engagement was necessitated by declining civic participation and voter apathy.

He emphasised that while INEC’s primary responsibility is to conduct elections, citizen participation through voter registration is fundamental to good governance.

According to him, citizens who fail to exercise their civic responsibility of voting forfeit the moral right to complain about governance outcomes.

In his presentation, the Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Sir Etekamba Udoh Umoren, outlined the timeline of the first phase of the CVR, which commenced with online pre-registration in August 2025, followed by physical registration across local government offices and the display of the voters register for claims and objections, in line with the Electoral Act 2022.

He explained that the CVR accommodates first-time voters, those who missed earlier registrations, applicants seeking correction of personal details, replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and those wishing to transfer their registration.

The REC announced that the second phase of the CVR began on January 5, 2026, stressing that voter registration is a civic duty and a cornerstone of democracy, not merely an administrative exercise.

He also cautioned against registration offences such as multiple registrations and providing false information, noting the legal penalties attached, while assuring of INEC’s commitment to neutrality, transparency, and peaceful conduct of the exercise.

The sensitisation programme which featured a roadwalk show led by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, was attended by key 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 House of Assembly; members of the State Executive Council; traditional rulers, market women, civil society organisations, community leaders, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), ALGON, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), among others.