THE HISTORY OF NIGERIA ELECTION: The struggles and wins

The history of elections in Nigeria dates back to the colonial period when the country was a British colony. The first election held in Nigeria was the 1951 general election, which was held under the Lyttleton Constitution. This election marked the beginning of a new era in Nigerian politics, as it was the first time that Nigerians were allowed to participate in the democratic process and elect their own leaders.

In the early years of independence, Nigeria was a federal parliamentary democracy, with the prime minister serving as the head of government and the governor-general serving as the head of state. The country held regular general elections every four years, and political parties played a central role in the electoral process.

Over the years, Nigeria’s political landscape has undergone numerous changes. In 1966, the country experienced a military coup, which led to the suspension of the democratic process and the establishment of a military government. The military government ruled Nigeria for more than three decades until the return to civilian rule in 1999.

The 1999 general election marked the beginning of a new era in Nigerian politics, as it marked the end of military rule and the return to civilian democracy. The election was held under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which was established to oversee the electoral process and ensure that it was free and fair.

Since the return to civilian rule, Nigeria has held several general elections, including 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019 elections. These elections have been characterized by a high level of competition and have generally been considered to be free and fair.

One of the key challenges facing the electoral process in Nigeria has been the issue of vote-rigging and electoral fraud. There have been several instances of these practices being reported, particularly in the early years of independence. However, in recent years, there have been significant efforts to address these issues, including the introduction of biometric voting systems and the deployment of international observers to monitor the electoral process.

Another significant challenge facing the electoral process in Nigeria has been the issue of violence and intimidation. There have been instances of violence and intimidation during and after elections, with some candidates and their supporters resorting to illegal and violent means to gain an advantage. This has led to concerns about the safety of voters and the integrity of the electoral process.

Despite these challenges, Nigeria’s electoral process has made significant progress in recent years, and the country has held several free and fair elections. This has contributed to the strengthening of democracy in the country and has helped to foster political stability and economic growth.

Overall, the history of elections in Nigeria has been marked by both progress and challenges. While there have been instances of vote-rigging and electoral fraud, as well as violence and intimidation, there have also been significant efforts to address these issues and improve the electoral process. The result has been a series of free and fair elections that have contributed to the strengthening of democracy in the country.

COMPARING NIGERIA ELECTORAL PROCESS WITH OTHER WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Elections play a crucial role in the functioning of any democracy, and the process of conducting elections varies from country to country. In this write-up, I will compare the electoral process in Nigeria with that of other West African countries.

One key aspect of the electoral process is the body responsible for overseeing it. In Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is responsible for organizing and conducting elections. INEC is an independent body that is responsible for ensuring that elections are free and fair. It is responsible for registering voters, preparing and distributing voting materials, and announcing the results of elections.

In other West African countries, the body responsible for overseeing elections also varies. In Ghana, the Electoral Commission of Ghana (ECG) is responsible for organizing and conducting elections, while in Senegal, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENAIS) is responsible for this role. In both cases, these bodies are independent and are responsible for ensuring that elections are free and fair.

Another important aspect of the electoral process is the system of voting that is used. In Nigeria, elections are generally conducted using a first-past-the-post system, where the candidate with the most votes is declared the winner. This system has been criticized for being prone to vote-rigging and electoral fraud, as it is relatively easy for candidates to manipulate the results.

In other West African countries, different voting systems are used. In Ghana, for example, elections are conducted using a proportional representation system, where parties are awarded seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive. In Senegal, a mixed system is used, with a combination of first-past-the-post and proportional representation.

Another key aspect of the electoral process is the issue of campaign financing. In Nigeria, there are laws in place that regulate campaign financing, including the requirement for candidates to disclose their sources of funding. However, these laws are often not strictly enforced, and there have been instances of candidates using illegal or illicit means to fund their campaigns.

In other West African countries, there are also laws regulating campaign financing. In Ghana, for example, the Political Parties Act requires parties to disclose their sources of funding, and there are limits on the amount of money that can be spent on campaigns. In Senegal, the electoral code also requires candidates to disclose their sources of funding and sets limits on campaign expenditures.

Finally, the issue of violence and intimidation during and after elections is a significant challenge in the electoral process in many countries, including Nigeria. There have been instances of violence and intimidation during and after elections in Nigeria, with some candidates and their supporters resorting to illegal and violent means to gain an advantage. In other West African countries, such as Ghana and Senegal, there have also been instances of violence and intimidation during and after elections.

Overall, the electoral process in Nigeria is similar to that of other West African countries in many ways. However, there are also some significant differences, such as the voting system used and the level of enforcement of campaign finance laws. Despite these differences, it is important for all countries to ensure that their electoral processes are free and fair and that they adhere to international standards of democracy.

HOW CAN NIGERIA ELECTORAL PROCESS BE IMPROVED

The electoral process in Nigeria has come a long way since the first general election was held in 1951. However, there are still significant challenges that need to be addressed in order to bring it up to an acceptable standard of democracy. Here are some ways in which the electoral process in Nigeria can be improved:

1. Strengthening the independence and impartiality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC): INEC is the body responsible for overseeing the electoral process in Nigeria, and it is crucial that it be independent and impartial in order to ensure that elections are free and fair. There have been instances in the past where INEC has been accused of being biased or influenced by the ruling party, which has undermined the credibility of the electoral process. To improve the electoral process, it is essential that INEC be strengthened and protected from interference or influence by any external parties.
2. Implementing effective measures to prevent vote-rigging and electoral fraud: Vote-rigging and electoral fraud have been significant challenges in the past, with some candidates and their supporters resorting to illegal and fraudulent means to gain an advantage. To address this issue, it is important that effective measures be put in place to prevent these practices. This could include the introduction of biometric voting systems, which use fingerprints or other unique identifiers to verify the identity of voters, and the deployment of international observers to monitor the electoral process.
3. Ensuring the safety and security of voters: Violence and intimidation during and after elections have been a significant challenge in Nigeria, with some candidates and their supporters resorting to illegal and violent means to gain an advantage. To address this issue, it is important that measures be put in place to ensure the safety and security of voters, such as the deployment of security personnel to polling stations and the establishment of hotlines for reporting incidents of violence or intimidation.
4. Improving the transparency and accountability of the electoral process: To improve the electoral process in Nigeria, it is essential that it be transparent and accountable. This could involve the publication of voter lists and the results of elections in a timely manner, as well as the establishment of mechanisms for handling complaints and disputes related to the electoral process.
5. Promoting political tolerance and non-violent forms of political expression: Political violence and intolerance have been significant challenges in Nigeria’s electoral process, with some candidates and their supporters resorting to violent means to gain an advantage. To address this issue, it is important that efforts be made to promote political tolerance and non-violent forms of political expression, such as through education and awareness campaigns.
6. Encouraging the participation of women and minority groups in the electoral process: Women and minority groups have historically been underrepresented in the electoral process in Nigeria, and it is important that efforts be made to encourage their participation. This could involve implementing affirmative action measures, such as quotas, to ensure that women and minority groups are represented in the electoral process.
7. Enhancing the transparency and accountability of political parties: Political parties play a central role in the electoral process in Nigeria, and it is important that they be transparent and accountable in order to ensure that elections are free and fair. This could involve the implementation of measures to ensure that parties disclose their sources of funding and adhere to campaign finance laws.
8. Providing voter education and awareness: To ensure that the electoral process in Nigeria is successful, it is essential that voters be well-informed and aware of their rights and responsibilities. This could involve voter education campaigns, which provide information about the electoral process and how to participate in it.

Overall, there are several ways in which the electoral process in Nigeria can be improved to an acceptable standard of democracy. By addressing issues such as vote-rigging and electoral.