Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has raised the alarm over what he described as an unimpressive turnout recorded during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the state, warning that voter apathy could undermine democratic participation if urgent corrective steps are not taken.
The governor expressed his concern on Wednesday at a sensitisation and advocacy engagement organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in collaboration with the Delta State Government at Government House, Asaba.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Oborevwori said the figure of just over 76,000 registrants recorded in the first phase of the CVR fell far below expectations for a state of Delta’s population size and political awareness.
According to him, voter registration remains the gateway to democratic participation and the bedrock of a credible, inclusive and representative electoral process, stressing that low registration numbers pose a serious challenge to democratic legitimacy.
“The figures we have seen do not reflect the population strength or democratic consciousness of Delta State,” the governor said.
This calls for renewed commitment and aggressive mobilisation at the grassroots to ensure that eligible citizens are not shut out of the electoral process.”
Oborevwori urged traditional rulers, political parties, religious institutions, civil society organisations, youth and women groups, market associations and the media to take ownership of the voter registration campaign by driving awareness directly to communities.
He made a special appeal to youths and first-time voters, describing them as the future of democracy and warning that failure to register would amount to surrendering their voices in governance.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for INEC to discharge its constitutional responsibilities effectively, expressing optimism that the second phase of the CVR would record a significant improvement.
Earlier in his presentation, the Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Sir Etekamba Udoh Umoren, outlined the processes and outcomes of the first phase of the exercise, 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 caters for first-time voters, those who missed previous registration exercises, 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 commences on January 5, 2026, emphasising that voter registration is a civic duty and a cornerstone of democracy, not merely an administrative routine.
The REC also warned against registration-related offences such as multiple registrations and the provision of false information, noting that such acts attract legal penalties under the law.
He assured stakeholders of INEC’s commitment to neutrality, transparency and the peaceful conduct of the exercise.
