INEC: 3.5 Million Nigerians Register Online, Low Turnout in South-East Worries Stakeholders

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that over 3.5 million Nigerians have successfully registered online in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, signaling a strong wave of civic engagement ahead of the next general elections. However, beneath this milestone lies a troubling disparity: a persistently low turnout in the South-East, which has raised alarm among political observers, civil society organisations, and community leaders.

INEC

According to figures released by the Commission, states in the North-West and South-West are recording comparatively high registration traffic, driven largely by youth participation and coordinated mobilisation by local organisations. In contrast, the South-East lags significantly, with fewer registrants despite the region’s vibrant youth population and history of political activism.

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Analysts point to several possible reasons for the slump. Some blame widespread insecurity in parts of the region, which has created fear and limited public enthusiasm for physical verification at INEC offices. Others cite voter apathy fueled by distrust in electoral outcomes, and the economic struggles that keep many young Nigerians preoccupied with survival rather than political participation.

Civil society leaders are worried that unless urgent steps are taken, the South-East could face under-representation in the coming elections. “This trend is disturbing,” said Dr. Nnaemeka Uche, a governance expert based in Enugu. “If the numbers remain this low, it will weaken the political bargaining power of the South-East. Every vote matters, and non-participation is a silent surrender of the region’s future.”

Political parties have also expressed concern. Some warn that low voter numbers could reinforce negative stereotypes about the region’s electoral engagement. Others are urging community-based sensitisation, stressing that the online registration platform was designed to make the process easier, particularly for first-time voters and the youth.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that it is expanding outreach, with more mobile registration units to be deployed in underperforming regions. The Commission also appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society to intensify voter education and dispel fears surrounding registration.

Observers note that Nigeria’s democracy thrives on inclusivity. With the South-East struggling to match the pace of other zones, the fear is that political apathy may translate into diminished influence in policymaking and resource allocation.

“The numbers are encouraging at the national level, but democracy is only as strong as the participation of its weakest region,” remarked Aisha Mohammed, a Lagos-based election monitor. “If the South-East disengages, its voice will be missing when critical national decisions are made.”

As the registration exercise enters its next phase, stakeholders agree that the challenge is not only about technology or access, but about rebuilding trust in the electoral process. For millions of Nigerians, the online portal has brought fresh hope of inclusion. For the South-East, however, the task is urgent: to shake off apathy, confront insecurity, and reclaim its place at the heart of Nigeria’s democratic future.