Mary Ikoku, a prominent APC leader in Abia State and Arochukwu Local Government Area and a leading voice for citizen engagement and community development, has launched a Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and Permanent Voter Card (PVC) Awareness Campaign aimed at increasing participation in the ongoing voter registration exercise in Arochukwu.

The initiative, which was officially launched on May 19, 2026, is being implemented in partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and is designed to educate eligible citizens on the importance of voter registration, PVC ownership, and participation in the democratic process.

Speaking at the launch, Ikoku said voter registration remains one of the most important civic responsibilities of citizens and urged residents, particularly young people and first-time voters, to take advantage of the ongoing exercise.

“Our PVC remains one of the most powerful tools available to us as citizens. It is our voice, our right, and our opportunity to influence the decisions that affect our lives and our communities. I encourage every eligible citizen, particularly our young people, to take advantage of the ongoing registration exercise and ensure they are registered to vote,” she said.

She noted that active citizen participation is essential to democratic development and stressed that voter registration provides citizens with an opportunity to contribute to the governance and future direction of their communities.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Mary Ikoku Foundation (MIF), Mr. Chibuisi Okorafor, described the campaign as a civic engagement initiative focused on voter education and participation.

“This campaign is about ensuring that every eligible citizen understands the value of civic participation and takes advantage of the opportunity to register and obtain a Permanent Voter Card. Democracy works best when citizens are informed, engaged, and empowered to make their voices count. We are encouraged by the enthusiasm of young people who are embracing this responsibility and helping to spread the message across our communities,” he said.

According to the organizers, the campaign will continue across communities in Arochukwu through grassroots sensitization, voter education, and community engagement activities aimed at increasing awareness of the registration exercise and encouraging broader participation.

The launch attracted community volunteers, youth leaders, students, women groups, party stakeholders, and grassroots mobilizers who committed themselves to promoting voter education and encouraging eligible citizens to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

The organizers expressed optimism that sustained awareness efforts would contribute to increased voter registration and strengthen democratic participation across the Local Government Area.