Delta Commissioner Urges Eligible Deltans to Register to Vote, Calls for Tech-Driven CVR Process

Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has urged eligible residents of the state to embrace the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, describing voter registration and possession of a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) as a constitutional right and civic responsibility.

Mr. Aniagwu made the call on Wednesday while speaking to journalists at 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.

He said every Nigerian who has attained the age of 18 is legally qualified to register as a voter and participate in elections, stressing that voter registration is central to democratic governance.
According to the Commissioner, citizens who fail to register and vote forfeit the moral right to complain about poor leadership and governance outcomes.
Aniagwu explained that the sensitisation programme was targeted at first-time voters, particularly young Nigerians who were underage during the last general election, as well as those who could not register previously due to logistical challenges.

He noted that voting remains the most direct way for citizens to influence leadership selection at all levels, from councillors and local government chairmen to state and national offices.
The Commissioner lamented that many Nigerians still underestimate the importance of voter registration, often discouraged by the stress of locating registration centres, a situation he said underscores the need for sustained public enlightenment.

Citing Section 10 (1–3) of the Electoral Act, Aniagwu emphasized that voter registration is a continuous process and should not be treated as an exercise limited to election periods.

He expressed concern over logistical constraints, noting that the allocation of only two registration machines per local government area was inadequate, and urged INEC to increase the number of machines to improve accessibility.

The Commissioner also advocated a technology-driven voter registration system, arguing that if Nigerians can open bank accounts and conduct financial transactions via mobile phones, voter registration should be simplified through technology.

He said the current process is often stressful and capital-intensive, involving transportation costs and repeated visits to registration centres without assurance of same-day registration.

According to him, a community-based, technology-enabled registration process would reduce costs, ease logistics, and curb voter apathy.

Commended INEC for organising the sensitisation programme and reaffirmed the Delta State Government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen democratic participation and increase voter registration across the state.