By Akpos Oghenetega,
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has expressed concern over the low turnout recorded during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the state, calling on stakeholders to embark on aggressive grassroots mobilisation ahead of the second phase scheduled for January 2026.
The Governor raised the concern on Wednesday during a sensitisation and advocacy engagement organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in collaboration with the Delta State Government at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Oborevwori described the outcome of the first phase as “far below expectations,” noting that only about 76,000 registrants were captured—figures he said did not reflect Delta State’s population size or its level of democratic awareness. He stressed that voter registration remains the gateway to democratic participation and the bedrock of a credible and inclusive electoral process.
The Governor urged traditional rulers, political parties, religious institutions, civil society organisations, youth and women groups, market associations and the media to take ownership of the CVR campaign by driving awareness directly to the grassroots. He made a special appeal to youths and first-time voters, describing them as the future custodians of democracy and urging them to seize the opportunity to register.
Oborevwori 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 witness a significant improvement in participation.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, attributed the engagement to growing voter apathy and declining civic participation. He noted that while INEC is constitutionally mandated to conduct elections, citizen participation through voter registration is fundamental to good governance, adding that citizens who fail to exercise their civic duty forfeit the moral right to complain about governance outcomes.
In his presentation, the Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Sir Etekamba Udoh Umoren, outlined the processes and timeline of the first phase of the CVR, which began with online pre-registration in August 2025, followed by physical registration at local government offices and the display of the voters’ register for claims and objections in line with the Electoral Act 2022.
Umoren 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 voters wishing to transfer their registration. He announced that the second phase of the CVR commenced on January 5, 2026, emphasising that voter registration is a civic duty and a cornerstone of democracy, not merely an administrative exercise.
He cautioned against registration offences such as multiple registrations and the provision of false information, highlighting the legal consequences, while assuring stakeholders of INEC’s commitment to neutrality, transparency and the peaceful conduct of the exercise.
The sensitisation programme, which featured a road walk 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 and Executive Council, as well as traditional rulers, market women, civil society organisations, community leaders, IPAC, ALGON and others.
