The Delta State government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have expressed concern over the low turnout recorded during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the state, calling for intensified mobilisation and sustained public sensitisation ahead of the ongoing second phase.
This was the thrust of deliberations on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at an enlarged voters sensitisation and advocacy meeting held at the Old Government House, Asaba, and organised by INEC for critical stakeholders from across state.
Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, described the CVR as the gateway to democratic participation, stressing that a credible electoral process begins with a credible and inclusive voters register.
The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, noted that the first phase of the registration exercise, which ran from August 18 to December 10, 2025, recorded only 77,000 new voters in Delta State, a figure he said fell far below expectations.
“This development should concern all of us and highlights the need for stronger awareness, deeper engagement, and collective action to address voter apathy and bridge information gaps,” he said.
With the commencement of the second phase of the exercise in January 2026, the governor said the state now has a renewed opportunity to significantly boost participation.
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Gov. Oborevwori urged traditional rulers, political leaders, religious bodies, civil society organisations, youth and women groups, market associations, and the media to take voter sensitisation directly to the grassroots.
He encouraged youths and first-time voters to seize the opportunity to register and be counted, describing them as the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Delta State, Etekamba Umoren, commended Gov. Oborevwori for supporting the engagement and for what he described as a practical demonstration of the governor’s M.O.R.E Agenda of inclusive governance.
Umoren explained that the first phase of the CVR commenced with online pre-registration on August 18, 2025, followed by physical registration at INEC offices across the 25 local government areas and the state headquarters from August 25, 2025.
He said the combined online and physical registration captured a total of 76,667 eligible voters in Delta State, a figure he admitted was only a fraction of the state’s voting population.
The resident electoral commissioner said the display of the preliminary voters register and the claims and objections exercise were conducted between December 15 and 24, 2025, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.
While announcing that the second phase of the CVR exercise began on Monday, January 5, 2026, he described voter registration as more than an administrative process, noting that it represents the threshold of democratic participation.
“The Permanent Voters Card is not just a piece of plastic; it is the instrument through which your voice is heard, and your future is shaped,” Umoren said.
He outlined eligibility requirements for registration, including Nigerian citizenship, attainment of 18 years, and residency or affiliation with the area of registration, while also highlighting provisions for replacement of lost or damaged PVCs, correction of bio-data, and transfer of registration.
Umoren further warned against registration-related offences such as multiple registration, falsification of information, impersonation, and illegal possession of voters’ cards, noting that such offences attract fines ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦1 million or jail terms of between one to five years, or both.
