Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The 2015 general elections marked a significant turning point in the political landscape of the nation, with a focus on political participation and its impact on democratic consolidation. This research project aimed to explore the relationship between political participation and the process of democratic consolidation during the 2015 election period. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, including surveys, interviews, and content analysis of media reports, the study sought to uncover the various ways in which citizens engaged in the political process and the implications of their participation on the overall democratic consolidation in the country. The findings of the research highlighted the diverse forms of political participation exhibited by citizens during the 2015 elections, ranging from voting and attending political rallies to engaging in online activism and social movements. These different modes of participation reflected the growing awareness and interest among the populace in shaping the political landscape of the country. Moreover, the study revealed that political participation played a crucial role in fostering democratic consolidation by promoting accountability, transparency, and civic engagement among both the political elite and the general public. Furthermore, the research identified several challenges and limitations to political participation during the 2015 elections, including voter apathy, electoral violence, and the influence of money in politics. These obstacles underscored the need for continuous efforts to enhance the inclusivity and integrity of the electoral process, thereby strengthening the foundation of democracy in the country. By examining the dynamics of political participation in the context of democratic consolidation, this study contributed valuable insights into the evolving nature of politics in the nation and the prospects for building a more robust and sustainable democratic system. Overall, this research project shed light on the intricate interplay between political participation and democratic consolidation in the context of the 2015 general elections. By analyzing the various forms of citizen engagement and their implications for the democratic process, the study provided a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the nation as it seeks to deepen its democratic roots.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

Throughout the World today, political systems are undergoing qualitative transformation from authoritarian to participatory regimes. This worldwide trend, otherwise known as democratization (Elekwa, 2008:iv) has made the issue of election a critical political imperative. Election as a democratic practice refers to the system whereby the citizenry (organized as electorate) consciously choose people into civic roles through a competitive selection process (Raymond, 2000:164). International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences vol.5 defines election “as a procedure of aggregating preferences of a particular kind”. The two features of this definition are procedure and preferences. By procedure, the concept is used to describe a special way of doing something while preference connotes choice between alternatives. Election can also be described as a procedure that allows members of an organization, community or a nation to choose representatives who will hold positions of authority within it. According to Givinn and Norton, (1992) election is the formal process of selecting a person for public office or accepting or registering a political proposition by voting. They state further that an election is one of the means by which a society may organize itself and make specified formal decisions, adding that where voting is free, it acts simultaneously as a system for making certain decisions regarding the power relations in a society and as a method for seeking political obedience with a minimum of sacrifice of the individual‟s freedom.

The essence of a democratic election is a freedom of choice. During elections, the electorate is given the opportunity to choose between alternative programmes of contestants. Elections also promote public accountability. The threat of defeat at the polls exerts pressure on those in power to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and take account of popular interests and demands when they make their decisions. There is no one accepted procedure of election. In ancient Greece, various types of procedures were used. These include voting by show of hands, written votes and ballots. In the old Roman Republic, elections of principal officers were by a plurality of tribes. In the medieval church, the election of superiors was by a small electorate consisting of those next in rank. However, with the emergence of liberal democracy in the seventeenth and eighteenth century in Western Europe, the concept of election took new meaning anchored on the principles of consent franchise and representation.