INEC calls for stronger stakeholder collaboration to boost voter registration in Rivers
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to political, community, and religious stakeholders in Rivers State to intensify efforts toward mobilising eligible citizens for voter registration, as the state continues to rank low in new registrations despite ongoing nationwide exercises.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Rivers, Prof. Gabriel Yomere, made the appeal on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt.
He revealed that although the state had recorded 67,367 newly registered voters since the exercise began on Aug. 18, the figure still trailed behind that of many other states.
Yomere commended security agencies for maintaining peace across all registration centres, describing their support as crucial to achieving steady progress.
He also addressed calls from some stakeholders for INEC to decentralise registration to wards and polling units but explained that such a move was currently not feasible.
According to him, the commission’s headquarters was aware of the concerns and would provide further guidance.
He urged political parties, community heads, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and influential public figures to intensify grassroots sensitisation to ensure that at least 95 per cent of eligible voters in the state are registered.
“The objective is to ensure Rivers achieves a registration level that we can all be proud of,” he said.
Yomere also encouraged citizens who have not registered to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adewole, represented by CSP James Njoku, underscored the importance of shared responsibility in securing the electoral process.
He noted that election security goes beyond policing and involves safeguarding voters, candidates, electoral staff, observers, media personnel, and sensitive materials.
Citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, Adewole said security agencies would be fully deployed to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.
He urged citizens to report suspicious activities and refrain from harbouring individuals planning electoral offences, warning against “incubating rotten eggs.”
According to him, community vigilance and cooperation with security agencies can significantly improve the state’s electoral environment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Rivers State, Nnanna Onyekwere, called on INEC to push for decentralisation of the registration process to wards and communities to boost turnout.
He said the 63,621 new registrations recorded so far were below expectations, attributing the low figures to insufficient sensitisation in rural areas.
Onyekwere urged INEC to strengthen collaborations with traditional rulers, religious bodies, and CSOs to raise awareness and reduce barriers, especially transportation costs that limit participation.
He assured the electoral body of full cooperation from political parties in the state.
INEC Administrative Secretary in Rivers, Mrs. Angela Ebhodaghe, announced that the first phase of the CVR exercise would end on Dec. 10.
She said the preliminary voters’ register would be displayed from Dec. 15 to Dec. 21 for claims and objections.
Ebhodaghe added that the second phase of the exercise would commence in January 2026.
She urged stakeholders to help INEC mobilise more eligible citizens and reminded those who registered or transferred their polling units to check the displayed register to confirm accurate data capture before printing begins.
She thanked stakeholders for their contributions and assured them that their concerns would be forwarded to higher authorities for necessary action.
