CLO Urges South East Leaders to Intensify Voter Registration Drive, Warns Against Political Marginalization

The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Anambra State Branch, has called on political leaders, traditional rulers, religious institutions, civil society groups, market associations, and other stakeholders across the South East to intensify efforts toward mobilizing eligible citizens to register for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The organization described the PVC as the foundation of democratic participation and warned that the South East risks further political marginalization if it fails to improve its voter registration and electoral participation figures.

The appeal was contained in a press statement issued in Awka, Anambra State, and jointly signed by the Chairman of CLO Anambra State Branch, Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, and the Secretary, Comrade Chidi Mbah. The statement, titled “Inactions of the Patriotic Majority Give Evil the Power to Triumph,” urged citizens to take advantage of the extension of the CVR exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to the organization, the South East must urgently reverse what it described as the region’s poor voter registration record, noting that low registration figures have weakened its political influence and bargaining power at the national level.

The group expressed concern over what it termed the lack of urgency among many leaders in the region regarding voter mobilization, accusing them of focusing prematurely on the 2027 general elections while neglecting the critical process of ensuring that eligible citizens are registered to vote.

CLO argued that meaningful participation in elections begins with voter registration, stressing that only registered voters can exercise their constitutional right to vote and be voted for.

The organization challenged political stakeholders and community leaders to reflect on their contributions to the voter registration exercise, asking how many people they had personally encouraged or assisted to register.

It further lamented that while leaders in other geopolitical zones are actively mobilizing citizens for registration, many leaders in the South East have shown little commitment to addressing the region’s low voter enrollment figures.

As part of its recommendations, the rights group called on INEC and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to embark on aggressive public enlightenment campaigns across communities, churches, markets, schools, and motor parks in the South East to educate citizens on the importance of the ongoing registration exercise.

The organization also urged electoral authorities to address administrative bottlenecks that discourage prospective registrants, including technical challenges, prolonged delays, and alleged poor treatment of applicants at registration centers.

CLO specifically appealed to the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra State, Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Agwu, to conduct unscheduled visits to registration centers across the state to assess operational challenges and ensure efficiency in the process.

The group identified several obstacles allegedly affecting the registration exercise, including reports of demands for unofficial payments before registration or collection of voter cards, inadequate personnel at registration centers, and persistent power supply challenges.

According to the organization, some prospective registrants have complained of visiting registration centers repeatedly without being successfully registered, a situation it said could discourage citizens from participating in the electoral process.

The organization also expressed disappointment over what it described as the failure of South East governors to take decisive action to promote voter registration despite previous appeals.

It called on the governors to launch coordinated voter registration campaigns, including initiatives such as “Operation Show Your Voter’s Card,” and to appoint dedicated officials to oversee Continuous Voter Registration activities at both state and local government levels.

CLO maintained that the extension granted by INEC presents a valuable opportunity for the region to increase its voter population and strengthen its political relevance.

The group emphasized that addressing voter apathy and low registration figures is essential to enhancing the South East’s influence in national politics and ensuring that the interests of the region are adequately represented.

It therefore urged traditional rulers, town union leaders, market associations, religious leaders, women groups, and youth organizations to intensify grassroots sensitization efforts and encourage every eligible citizen to register before the exercise concludes.

Reiterating its message, the organization called on residents of the South East to seize the opportunity provided by the CVR extension, register to vote, mobilize others to do the same, and participate actively in shaping the future of the region through the ballot box.

“The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now. Register, mobilize and vote,” the organization stated.