Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Political participation plays a crucial role in the process of democratic consolidation, especially during significant events such as national elections. The 2015 election in [Country] provides a unique opportunity to analyze the relationship between political participation and democratic consolidation. This study aims to examine the various forms of political participation exhibited by citizens during the election period and explore how these behaviors contribute to the overall strength of the democratic system in the country. Using a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, and content analysis of media reports, this research seeks to identify the factors that influence citizens' engagement in the political process and the impact of their participation on the consolidation of democracy. The research will focus on both conventional forms of political participation, such as voting and attending campaign events, as well as unconventional methods like social media activism and grassroots organizing. By analyzing the extent and nature of political participation across different segments of the population, this study aims to provide insights into the inclusivity and representativeness of the democratic process in [Country]. Furthermore, the research will investigate the role of political parties, civil society organizations, and the media in facilitating or hindering citizen engagement during the election period. Through in-depth interviews with key stakeholders and analysis of election-related media content, this study will also examine the narratives and discourses surrounding political participation and democratic consolidation in [Country]. By exploring how different groups frame the importance of participation in the political process, this research aims to shed light on the underlying norms and values that shape citizens' attitudes towards democracy. Additionally, the study will assess the impact of electoral outcomes on citizens' perceptions of the legitimacy and effectiveness of the democratic system. Overall, this research seeks to contribute to the existing literature on political participation and democratic consolidation by providing a comprehensive analysis of the 2015 election in [Country]. By examining the dynamics of citizen engagement, the role of institutions, and the discourses surrounding democracy, this study aims to deepen our understanding of the factors that influence the strength and sustainability of democratic systems in transitional democracies.

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.