Imo Stakeholders Demand CVR Extension Amid Low Awareness

A cross section of participants at Independent National Electoral Commission meeting in Owerri to discuss challenges surrounding the CVR exercise in Imo state

Stakeholders at a recent meeting on Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Imo State have raised concerns over what they described as inadequate sensitization and limited registration facilities for the exercise.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) convened the meeting in Owerri to discuss challenges surrounding the CVR exercise in the state.

Traditional rulers, political party representatives, civil society groups, and other stakeholders in attendance agreed that rural dwellers remained largely unaware of the ongoing registration exercise.

Chief Levi Ekeh, State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, stated, “We have not done enough in terms of sensitization in the hinterlands.”

He emphasized the need to hold a broader stakeholders’ meeting to devise strategies for increasing public awareness.

Eze Jude Nwogu, Chairman of the Owerri North Council of Traditional Rulers, commended the state’s improvement in CVR ranking, which rose from 32nd to 16th position nationwide.

However, he advocated for decentralizing the registration process and called for additional registration machines to enable more citizens to register efficiently.

Mr. Calistus Iheajiagwa, State Chairman of the Labour Party, called for an improved system that would allow for the immediate issuance of voter cards. He also expressed concern over the low turnout at a previous stakeholders’ meeting held in one of the local government areas and warned against the dangers of a “last-minute rush” by eligible residents.

Speakers from civil society organizations, religious groups, and town unions underscored the importance of adequate sensitization within communities.

They further urged INEC to ensure transparency and fairness throughout the registration process to restore public confidence in the electoral system.

Earlier, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Sylvia Agu, revealed that the commission had physically registered 17,129 citizens, with approximately 70,000 registered online.

Agu explained that for the first quarter, CVR activities were limited to INEC offices across local government areas, which restricted decentralization.

She added that her office had applied for additional registration machines, especially for areas facing security challenges such as Okigwe and Orsu, to boost capacity.

The REC stated that the purpose of the meeting was “to engage stakeholders as our apostles for mobilization.”

She urged all eligible residents, as well as those facing registration issues, to register promptly to avoid disenfranchisement.

Referring to shortcomings in previous elections, Prof. Agu assured stakeholders that “INEC is determined to ensure that your votes count.”

She further stated that the commission was working assiduously to prevent the glitches experienced in the last election from recurring.