ABSTRACT
This paper aims to evaluate improving agricultural extension in Nigeria.
The electoral system of any nation holds a fundamental position in sustaining and shaping the political behavior of its citizens (Okolo, 2002). The manner in which elections are conducted in a country significantly influences the level of political culture, political participation, and governance within that country. This, of course, relies on the effectiveness and efficiency of the country's electoral system.
This study has contributed to knowledge by providing relevant information to political science students and the entire public on how avoid electoral fraud. The study also contributes to literature electoral fraud and the crisis of democratic consolidation in Nigeria’s fourth republic.
The study was delimited to the following scope of the study. The study is to be carried out among commercial political science students Benin city. Therefore, the respondents covered the selected political science students in the state.
In this study, data were collected from the respondents by using questionnaires each respondent answered question according to his/her understanding towards the problem.
As a result of the inability of the researcher to effectively study the whole population strength, a representative number was chosen as the sample size population, 200 respondents was used as the sample size. Data was collected from primary and secondary sources. Primary data was obtained through questionnaire and personal interviews with the respondents. Tables and simple percentage was used as technique of analyzing the research questions.
Findings from the study revealed that the general idea of electoral fraud is about some unethical, illegal and generally unacceptable conduct which interferes with the electoral process.
Electoral fraud has a significant impact on the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria's Fourth Republic.
The two main types of electoral fraud are preventing eligible voters from casting their vote freely (or voting at all); and altering the results.
Conflict triggered by political competition and communal, ethnic, religious or resource allocation rivalries poses a major threat to democracy.
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Elections play a vital role in every democratic system, facilitating the transition from one regime to another. They serve as the method and procedure through which the voting population determines the individuals and groups responsible for governing the country, based on their perceived conviction regarding the presented agenda and program (Oni et al., 2017).
In the present global context, elections serve significant purposes in societies that have experienced war, authoritarianism, and democracy alike. They act as a means of transitioning from the harsh aftermath of war to a more civilized state in previously war-torn nations. They provide opportunities for freedom in former authoritarian regimes and grant citizens the space to express themselves freely. Moreover, elections offer governments a unique chance to establish legitimacy and are recognized as a means of building trust in former authoritarian states. They also serve as a way to validate negotiated political agreements (Oni et al., 2017).
However, elections have not only emerged as a tool for dismantling authoritarian regimes but also play a vital role in stable democracies by facilitating the smooth transfer of power and validating governance systems. In well-established democratic societies, elections are viewed as a means to reinforce an already assumed flawless system (Majekodunmi and Adejuwon, 2012: 44).
The electoral system of any nation holds a fundamental position in sustaining and shaping the political behavior of its citizens (Okolo, 2002). The manner in which elections are conducted in a country significantly influences the level of political culture, political participation, and governance within that country. This, of course, relies on the effectiveness and efficiency of the country's electoral system.
As democracy entails governance by the people, individuals are theoretically empowered to choose leaders who will represent their interests in the government through elections, even though holding completely free and fair elections is often challenging. Research on elections reveals that the transition from one regime to another poses a persistent challenge in many African states (Ogundiya and Aba, 2005; Glasgow and Alvarez, 2005; Falana, 2009).
The history of elections in Nigeria has been marked by threats to the nation's unity, fueled by the manipulation of ethnic divisions as a means for political actors to gain power. The fragility of political and democratic institutions in Nigeria is exacerbated by a lack of robust democratic culture among its citizens (Omodia, 2012; Ojukwu and Oluwole, 2016).
According to Nnamani (cited in Onu, 2005) and Suberu (2007), elections in Nigeria during the fourth republic have consistently been marred by widespread violence and unimaginable manipulation, particularly by political elites. These alarming trends have drawn the attention of both the local population and the international community.
According to Yagboyaju (2011), Nigeria's current process of democratization, leading to the establishment of the country's Fourth Republic on May 29, 1999, began with high hopes and expectations. Although the military regime that facilitated this transition failed to convince a majority of the citizens of its success, a significant portion of the population still believed that it could bring about good governance in the country.
The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria designates the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the independent body responsible for managing elections. Despite the occurrence of seven general elections in Nigeria's Fourth Republic, starting from the military-led election in 1999 and culminating in the recently concluded 2023 general elections, the incumbency factor, influenced by those in power, continues to impede the consolidation of democracy.
The ruling political party's disturbing level of manipulation during the electoral processes of 1999, 2003, and 2007, which resulted in political killings, religious intolerance, labor strikes, insecurity, and other socio-economic issues, did not go unnoticed (Ayoade, 2008). However, the 2011 elections served as evidence that democracy is a prerequisite for good governance. The events leading up to and following the elections indicated that Nigeria's democracy had reached a higher level.
For instance, Nnamani (cited in Oni et al., 2017) observed that the governorship and senatorial elections in 2011, which brought Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state and Senator Chris Ngige of Anambra Central senatorial district to power, were clear examples that people's votes could make a difference in Nigerian elections despite the challenging circumstances they faced (Oni et al., 2017).
The extensive range of governance misconduct in Nigeria is a direct affront to democracy and a distortion of its true essence (Aluaigba, 2002). This situation stems from the detrimental effects of electoral fraud on the overall quality of democracy in the country.
In light of this, the present study aims to contribute to the existing knowledge by examining the correlation between electoral fraud and the challenges faced in achieving democratic consolidation in Nigeria's Fourth Republic.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The problem addressed in this study is the prevalence of electoral fraud and its impact on the crisis of democratic consolidation in Nigeria's Fourth Republic. Electoral fraud undermines the integrity of the electoral process, compromises the will of the people, and hampers the development of a strong and stable democracy.
Electoral fraud encompasses a wide range of illicit activities, including vote-buying, ballot box stuffing, falsification of results, intimidation and coercion of voters, manipulation of voter registration, and irregularities in the counting and transmission of votes (Casimir et al., 2013). These fraudulent practices distort the electoral outcomes, distort the representation of the people's preferences, and erode public trust in the electoral process and democratic institutions.
Despite the recognition of the detrimental effects of electoral fraud on democratic consolidation, there remains a scarcity of studies specifically focusing on the impact of electoral fraud on the crisis of democratic consolidation in Nigeria's Fourth Republic. Although the existing studies provide valuable insights into the impact of electoral fraud on Nigeria's democratic consolidation efforts, most of them focused on the 1999 to 2015 elections and this represents a significant research gap and limits our understanding of the current state of democratic consolidation in the country.
By including the more recent elections, researchers would be able to examine the evolving nature of electoral fraud and its impact on democratic consolidation in Nigeria's Fourth Republic. Therefore, conducting research that includes the 2019 and 2023 elections is essential to fill the existing research gap and gain a comprehensive understanding of the current state of democratic consolidation in Nigeria. Such an analysis can provide valuable insights and policy recommendations to strengthen electoral processes, safeguard the integrity of elections, and foster the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria.
1.3 Aim of the Study
The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between electoral fraud and the crisis of democratic consolidation in Nigeria's Fourth Republic.
The specific objectives of this study are as follows:
- To examine forms of electoral fraud in Nigeria's Fourth Republic.
- To analyze the impact of electoral fraud on democratic consolidation in Nigeria's Fourth Republic.
- To propose strategies and recommendations to address the crisis of democratic consolidation caused by electoral fraud.
1.4 Research Questions
The study will address the following research questions:
- What are the forms of electoral fraud in Nigeria's Fourth Republic?
- How does electoral fraud impact the crisis of democratic consolidation in Nigeria's Fourth Republic?
- What strategies and recommendations can be proposed to address the crisis of democratic consolidation caused by electoral fraud?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
The study will test the following hypothesis:
H0: Electoral fraud has no significant impact on the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria's Fourth Republic.
Ha: Electoral fraud has a significant impact on the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria's Fourth Republic.
1.6 Justification of the Study
This study is important because electoral fraud undermines the democratic process and poses a threat to Nigeria's democratic consolidation. Understanding the forms, consequences, and potential solutions to electoral fraud will provide valuable insights for policymakers, electoral management bodies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders involved in promoting democracy and good governance in Nigeria.
1.7 Scope of the Study
This study will focus on electoral fraud and its impact on the crisis of democratic consolidation in Nigeria's Fourth Republic. The study will focus on political science students of University of Benin.
