Sele Media Africa
www.selemedia.org
Reported by Amos Dachung (Sele Media Africa Reporter)

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Why Southeast Residents Show Apathy Toward INEC’s Continuous Voter Registration

Enugu — As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rolls out its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) across Nigeria, voter turnout in the South-East remains conspicuously low. Analysts, stakeholders, and local voices point to a mix of historical distrust, perceived marginalization, procedural hurdles, and political disillusionment as root causes of widespread apathy in the region.

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Key Reasons Behind the Apathy

1.⁠ ⁠Distrust in Electoral Credibility
A recurring theme among residents is the belief that their votes won’t count. Many feel that past elections have been marred by irregularities, manipulated results, and selective enforcement—eroding trust in INEC’s ability to conduct free, fair, and transparent polls.
Leadership reports that people in the South-East express doubts about the electoral process’s integrity, citing a history of “wasted efforts” when participating in past voter registration drives. [1]

2.⁠ ⁠Perceived Marginalization Some residents believe the region is systemically sidelined in national politics. This sense of political exclusion fuels the sentiment that registering is futile because their influence on government decisions is limited.
In public comments, political actors in the South-East have urged community leaders to intensify grassroots mobilization, warning that low registration jeopardizes the region’s voice in future elections. [2]

3.⁠ ⁠Cumbersome Process & Access Challenges
Despite digital pre-registration options, physical registration remains mandatory for validation. Many rural residents cite poor internet access, lack of awareness, distance to registration centers, and difficulty navigating online systems as real obstacles.
INEC itself has acknowledged that the pre‑registration uptake in the region has been extremely low. [1]

4.⁠ ⁠Political Disillusionment & Apathy
With repeated election disputes and alleged failures of political representation, many in the South-East have gradually disengaged from electoral participation. Some see registration as symbolic rather than effective.
Analysts in Enugu have argued that many younger and older adults feel alienated and believe their civic engagement won’t translate into real change. [2] 5.⁠ ⁠Comparative Disparities Raise Suspicion
The stark disparity between registration figures in the South-East and more active states (like those in the South-West) has sparked suspicion. Opposition parties have challenged the logic behind huge numbers in some states but near-zero figures in the Southeast, suggesting either procedural bias, data anomalies, or technical issues. [3]

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Stakeholder Reactions & Calls to Action

I I don’t •⁠ ⁠Senator Adolphus Wabara, former Senate President, has publicly decried the poor turnout in the region and urged intensive grassroots campaigns involving traditional rulers, youth groups, and local governments. [4]
•⁠ ⁠APC state leadership in the region has appealed to residents to stop delaying their registration to avoid congestion in later periods. [2]
•⁠ ⁠Local assembly members and civil actors are organizing community outreach drives—especially in rural wards—to bring awareness and facilitate access to registration facilities. [2]
•⁠ ⁠Opposition parties and civil society groups have called for forensic audits and transparency in INEC’s registration data, demanding breakdowns by state and confirmation of legitimacy.

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