Project Abstract

Abstract
This research project examines the relationship between political participation and democratic consolidation in the context of the 2015 election. The study focuses on understanding how various forms of political participation, including voting, activism, and engagement in the political process, contribute to the consolidation of democracy in a developing country. The 2015 election serves as a case study to analyze the impact of political participation on the overall democratic development of the country. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection methods to provide a comprehensive analysis of the subject matter. Surveys, interviews, and documentary analysis are used to gather data on the levels and types of political participation among the electorate, as well as the perceived impact of such participation on the consolidation of democracy. The study also examines the role of political institutions, civil society organizations, and political parties in facilitating or hindering political participation and democratic consolidation. The findings of the research highlight the significance of political participation in strengthening democratic processes and institutions. The analysis reveals that active engagement in the political process, such as voting in elections, participating in protests, and joining political organizations, can contribute to the deepening of democratic norms and values within society. Conversely, low levels of political participation or disenchantment with the political system can undermine the consolidation of democracy and lead to democratic backsliding. Furthermore, the research identifies various factors that influence the level of political participation among citizens, including socio-economic status, education level, and perceptions of political efficacy. The study also underscores the importance of inclusive political institutions, transparent electoral processes, and a vibrant civil society in promoting widespread political participation and democratic consolidation. Overall, this research project provides valuable insights into the relationship between political participation and democratic consolidation in the specific context of the 2015 election. By shedding light on the mechanisms through which political engagement influences democratic development, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities for building and sustaining democracy in developing countries.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION

 Background to the Study

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.