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Eligible residents of Delta State have been called upon to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by registering and obtaining their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) to enable them vote on election days.

The call was made on Wednesday, January 21,  2026 during a sensitisation and advocacy programme organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in collaboration with the Delta State Government at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.

The officials described voter registration and possession of a PVC as both a constitutional right and a civic duty, stressing that every Nigerian who has attained the age of 18 is legally qualified to register, vote and, in some cases, contest for elective office.

According to the commissioner for Works (Rural) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu who spoke to journalists, voter registration is the foundation of democratic participation, noting that citizens who fail to register and vote lose the moral standing to complain about poor leadership and governance outcomes.

He explained that the sensitisation exercise was designed to mobilise new voters, especially young people who were underage during the last general election, as well as eligible citizens who could not register previously due to various challenges.

Aniagwu emphasised that voting remains the most effective way for citizens to influence governance and leadership selection at all levels, from councillors and local government chairmen to state, national and executive offices.

He decried the poor attitude of some citizens towards voter registration, saying that many Nigerians still underestimate its importance, often citing the stress of locating registration centres as an excuse. He noted that this mindset highlights the need for sustained public enlightenment on the value of registering and participating in the electoral process.

The commissioner also called for continuous engagement with INEC, citing Section 10 of the Electoral Act, which mandates continuous voter registration, and stressed that the exercise should not be treated as an activity limited to the period close to elections.

Expressing concern over logistical challenges, Aniagwu said the allocation of only two registration machines per local government area was inadequate and appealed to INEC to increase the number to make registration more accessible to citizens.

He further advocated a technology-driven approach to voter registration, arguing that if Nigerians can open bank accounts and conduct financial transactions on their mobile phones, the voter registration process should also be simplified through technology.

According to him, the current system is often stressful, capital-intensive and discouraging, as citizens may have to make repeated visits to registration centres without assurance of same-day registration.

Aniagwu commended INEC for organising the sensitisation programme and reaffirmed the commitment of the Delta State Government to supporting initiatives that promote voter registration, strengthen democratic participation and ensure that more Deltans are registered and ready to vote when elections are held.