CEDSI Unveils VOICE Project to Boost Voter Registration Ahead of 2027 Polls
By Ekanem ASUQUO
The Centre for Development Support Initiatives, CEDSI Nigeria, has launched a new voter mobilisation campaign aimed at increasing participation in the 2027 general elections, with a strong focus on young people.
The initiative, tagged Voters Outreach Inspiring Civic Engagement project, also known as Project VOICE, was unveiled at Rivers State University. It is supported by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund and implemented in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The project is designed as a youth driven platform to promote active involvement in civic, electoral and leadership processes, while addressing barriers to voter registration.
More than 350 VOICE ambassadors were inaugurated at the launch, underscoring efforts to deepen voter education and expand participation among students and the wider community.
Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor Isaac Zeb Obipi, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Professor Blessing Jaja, officially declared the project open and approved the use of training materials for capacity building. He stressed the importance of sustained engagement of young people in voter education.
The event drew participants from across the university community, including deans, heads of departments, academic and non academic staff. Activities included lectures on civic education, leadership development, voter registration and electoral processes. Onsite voter registration, awards, presentations and student experience sessions were also part of the programme.
Speaking at the event, the founding Executive Director of CEDSI, Professor Mina Ogbanga, said the initiative builds on previous successes recorded in tertiary institutions where outreach campaigns improved voter registration among students and nearby communities.
“Our goal is to ensure that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to register and take part in the electoral process,” she said, adding that the project brings registration services closer to the people.
She noted that the current phase of the campaign is focused on expanding access to registration centres, increasing awareness and tackling challenges that hinder registration.
Ogbanga added that the organisation is strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders, including electoral bodies and youth groups, to widen participation in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
She emphasised the importance of youth inclusion in democracy, noting that young people play a decisive role in shaping electoral outcomes.
Also speaking, the Project Manager of CEDSI, Chinwendu Blessing, called on Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing registration exercise.
“Participation in the electoral process is essential to building a strong and credible democracy,” she said.
Observers commended the initiative, noting that it could significantly reduce voter apathy and improve turnout in future elections. They also highlighted the importance of reliable voter data in driving political planning and economic development, stressing that accurate databases support better policy formulation, efficient resource allocation and inclusive governance.
