Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This research project aims to investigate the relationship between political participation and democratic consolidation, focusing on the 2015 election as a case study. The 2015 election marked a significant moment in the political history of the country, with the transition from one political party to another, signaling a potential shift in power dynamics. The study seeks to explore how different forms of political participation, such as voting, activism, and engagement with political institutions, influenced the process of democratic consolidation during this critical period. Through a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, and content analysis of media and official documents, the research will examine the levels and patterns of political participation among various segments of the population. By analyzing the data collected, the study aims to identify the factors that influenced individuals' decision to participate or abstain from political activities during the 2015 election. Additionally, the research will investigate the impact of different forms of political participation on the overall process of democratic consolidation. Furthermore, the project will also explore the role of political parties, civil society organizations, and the media in shaping political participation and democratic consolidation during the 2015 election. By examining the strategies and tactics employed by these actors to engage citizens and promote democratic values, the study aims to provide insights into the mechanisms through which political participation can contribute to the strengthening of democratic institutions. The findings of this research will have implications for both academics and policymakers interested in understanding the dynamics of political participation and its effects on democratic consolidation. By shedding light on the relationship between political engagement and the consolidation of democratic norms and practices, the study will contribute to the existing literature on democratization and political behavior. Additionally, the insights gained from this research can inform the design of more effective strategies to promote civic engagement and strengthen democratic institutions in the future. In conclusion, this research project seeks to deepen our understanding of the complex interplay between political participation and democratic consolidation, using the 2015 election as a case study. By examining the various forms of political engagement and their impact on the process of democratization, the study aims to provide valuable insights that can inform efforts to build and sustain democratic systems in the country.

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.