The Cross River State Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and key higher institutions in the State have forged a strategic partnership aimed at increasing voter registration and strengthening democratic participation among young people.
The collaboration was the focus of a joint courtesy visit to the Governor’s Office in Calabar by representatives of INEC, NIMC, the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), the University of Calabar (UNICAL), and the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa.
Speaking during the meeting, Governor Bassey Edet Otu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, emphasized the need to deepen democratic participation by expanding voter enrollment, particularly among students and youth.
Governor Otu noted that voter registration figures remained below expectations despite the state’s large population and electoral potential, stressing that increased participation in the electoral process was essential for development and good governance. He stated that the initiative transcends partisan politics and is aimed at strengthening democracy through active citizen engagement.
“This is not about APC, PDP, or any political party. It is about development and the collective will of our people. We must encourage more citizens, especially young people, to take ownership of the democratic process by registering and participating in elections,” he said.
The Governor called for effective collaboration among the participating institutions and urged them to establish direct communication channels to facilitate the mobilization of students and university communities for voter registration exercises. He assured the delegation of the government’s support for initiatives that promote civic responsibility and democratic development in the state.
Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Cross River State, Prof. Gabriel Yomere, commended the state government and the participating institutions for embracing the partnership. Prof. Yomere expressed concern over low voter registration and participation rates among young people and university communities, describing the situation as a challenge requiring deliberate intervention.
“Our concern generally is that the voting strength in our communities remains very low. Increasing voter registration is important not only politically but also for the overall development of our society. With the cooperation we have seen here today, we are optimistic that significant progress can be made,” he said.
The REC noted that INEC is committed to working closely with educational institutions and other stakeholders to ensure that eligible citizens, particularly students, are registered and empowered to participate in the electoral process.
Speaking on behalf of the tertiary institutions, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Cross River State, Prof. Thomas Ojikpong, pledged the institutions’ commitment to the initiative, noting that with proper advocacy and enlightenment, the student population would be willing to participate in the registration process. He assured the gathering that the universities would mobilize students and members of their communities to take advantage of voter registration opportunities.
The meeting also explored ways of leveraging the collaboration between INEC and NIMC to simplify access to voter registration and identity management services, particularly within tertiary institutions.
By Daniel Bebia
