Rural Voices Matter: Take Voter Registration to the Underserved

Rural Voices Matter: Take Voter Registration to the Underserved

An Appeal from the Association of Practitioners of Community Media in Nigeria (APCOM)

By Naomisophyblog

In every democracy, the power of the people is expressed most strongly through the ballot. Yet in Nigeria, too many citizens especially those in rural and underserved communities remain excluded from the electoral process, not because of apathy, but because of access. The Association of Practitioners of Community Media in Nigeria (APCOM) believes it is time for our nation to boldly address this gap: voter registration must be taken to the doorsteps of the underserved.

Across our villages, riverine areas, and remote settlements, citizens are eager to be part of shaping the future of their country. They listen to political conversations, they feel the impact of government policies, and they deserve to have a say in who governs them. But without functional registration centres nearby, their voices are silenced before election day ever arrives. This silent disenfranchisement threatens the very foundation of our democracy.

We commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its ongoing efforts in expanding voter registration. However, APCOM strongly urges that rural inclusion must be a priority. It is not enough to open centres in state capitals and major towns; the deep heart of Nigeria, where millions live, must also be given full access.

Practical Steps Toward Rural Inclusion

Mobile Registration Units:
INEC should deploy mobile teams equipped with technology to reach interior villages, riverine settlements, and nomadic communities. These teams can move from ward to ward, bringing registration directly to the people.

Community Media Partnership: APCOM and its members offer themselves as trusted platforms to spread awareness in local languages through community radio, town criers, village newspapers, and digital platforms. Messaging tailored in indigenous languages will break barriers of understanding and increase participation.

Collaboration with Traditional Institutions:
Village heads, chiefs, youth leaders, and women groups remain strong mobilisers in rural areas. By engaging them, voter registration campaigns will gain trust and wider acceptance.

Integration with Existing Community Activities:
Market days, health outreaches, and local festivals are natural gatherings. Setting up temporary registration booths during these events will ensure greater turnout without additional burden on rural dwellers.

Targeting Youth and First-Time Voters:
Many rural youths are eager to participate but lack awareness on when, where, or how to register. A deliberate focus on youth registration drives, especially in schools and vocational centres, will give them a voice in the nation’s future.

Special Access for Women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs):
Rural women, often burdened with domestic responsibilities, must not be excluded. Registration points should be gender-sensitive and disability-friendly to ensure inclusivity.

The Moral Imperative
Our call is simple yet urgent: democracy is incomplete without the rural voice. The farmer in Ekiti, the fisherfolk in Bayelsa, the herder in Adamawa, and the trader in Sokoto all deserve equal access to the ballot as the urban professional in Lagos or Abuja. By extending registration to underserved areas, Nigeria will not only broaden participation but also strengthen the legitimacy of future elections.

APCOM’s Commitment

As practitioners of community media, we pledge our platforms and networks to support this national call. We will:

Amplify awareness campaigns in local languages.

Mobilize communities through grassroots journalism.

Monitor and hold institutions accountable to their promises.

Document and highlight the voices of rural dwellers until they are fully included.

The time to act is now. Rural voices matter. Their votes matter. Their future matters. For Nigeria to move forward as a true democracy, voter registration must be taken to the underserved.