The electoral process and national security in nigeria: a comparative study of the 2011 and 2015 elections

Project Abstract

The electoral process in Nigeria has a significant impact on national security, as free, fair, and credible elections are essential for political stability and the overall well-being of the country. This study provides a comparative analysis of the 2011 and 2015 elections in Nigeria, focusing on the relationship between the electoral process and national security. Using a qualitative research approach, this study examines the key similarities and differences in the electoral processes of the two election years, with a specific emphasis on how these processes influenced national security dynamics. The 2011 elections were marred by widespread violence, electoral malpractices, and insecurity in various parts of the country. These issues raised concerns about the credibility of the electoral process and its implications for national security. In contrast, the 2015 elections marked a significant improvement in terms of security and credibility. The introduction of innovative technologies, such as the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and the Card Reader, helped to enhance the transparency and integrity of the electoral process. These reforms contributed to a reduction in electoral violence and increased public confidence in the electoral system. Despite these improvements, challenges such as political violence, hate speech, and electoral fraud still posed threats to national security during the 2015 elections. The study explores how the government, security agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners collaborated to address these challenges and ensure a peaceful electoral process. The findings of this study highlight the importance of a well-functioning electoral process in promoting national security and political stability. By comparing the 2011 and 2015 elections, this research provides valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of the electoral process in Nigeria and its implications for national security. Overall, this study contributes to the existing literature on the intersection of electoral processes and national security in Nigeria. It underscores the need for continuous reforms and improvements in the electoral system to mitigate security risks and uphold democratic principles. By learning from past experiences and adopting best practices, Nigeria can strengthen its electoral process and safeguard national security in future elections.

Project Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>INTRODUCTION</strong><br><strong>1.1 &nbsp; BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY</strong></p><p>Election is an integral part of a democratic process that enables the citizenry determine fairly and freely who should lead them at every level of government periodically and take decisions that shape their socio-economic and political destiny; and in case they falter, still possess the power to recall them or vote them out in the next election. This was Obakhedo, (2011) aptly defined election thus: Election is a major instrument for the recruitment of political leadership in democratic societies; the key to participation in a democracy; and the way of giving consent to government (Dye, 2001); and allowing the governed to choose and pass judgment on office holders who theoretically represent the governed Obakhedo, (2011).</p><p>In its strictest sense, there can never be a democracy without election. Huntington is however quick to point out that, a political system is democratic ‘to the extent that its most powerful collective decision-makers are selected through fair, honest and periodic elections in which candidates freely compete for votes, and in which virtually all the adult population is eligible to vote’ (Huntington, 1991). In its proper sense, election is a process of selecting the officers or representatives of an organization or group by the vote of its qualified members (Nwolise, 2007). Anifowose (2003) defined elections as the process of elite selection by the mass of the population in any given political system, Bamgbose (2012).</p><p>Elections provide the medium by which the different interest groups within the bourgeois nation state can stake and resolve their claims to power through peaceful means (Iyayi, 2005). Elections therefore determine the rightful way of ensuring that responsible leaders take over the mantle of power. An election itself is a procedure by which the electorate, or part of it, choose the people who hold public office and exercise some degree of control over the elected officials. It is the process by which the people select and control their representatives. The implication of this is that without election, there can be no representative government.</p> <br><p></p>