THE 2015 GENERAL ELECTION: ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Thesis Overview

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDYObviously, a credible electoral process is an absolute necessity for representative democracy, yet not every election meets this criterion. Across regions and climes of the world, it is generally agreed that elections are a hallmark of democracy. Little wonder, Anifowose (2003) refers to it as the process of elite selection by the mass of the population in any given political system. Election as a mechanism for peaceful transition of one regime to another has been a serious political event right from pre-independent Nigeria.Since, Nigeria has practiced elective principle in 1992 in Nigeria political climate has changed and a series of elections have been conducted. However, majority of these elections have resulted in stalemate, contention, violence, legitimacy crises and has at one time or the other truncated democratic practices thereby paving way for military incursion in Nigerian politics.Right from 1960, the challenge before Nigeria as a nation is to entrench an enduring democracy which could be facilitated through the conduct of a credible, free and fair election. The 1964/65, 1983, 1993, 2003, 2007 and 2011 elections ended in a disaster which we are still grappling with till today and if Nigeria`s continue existence is to be ensured then, we need to organize and conduct generally acceptable elections.Electoral process in Nigeria since 1960 has been a very difficult task, to conduct a creditable, free and fair election. Some of the issues surrounding the conduct of the 2015 general elections borders on the conduct of free and fair elections, some of the factors/challenges of these are electoral fraud and electoral mal-practices in the country. Rigging is almost synonymous with Nigerians elections.Indeed, electoral fraud pervades the political landscape. It is generally perpetrated by unproductive and criminally minded politicians who seek to frustrate the democratic aspirations of citizens who have voted or would have voted into offices someone other than the purported victor or winner.Democracy can also be described as a system of government under which the people exercise the governing power either directly or through representatives periodically elected by themselves.Momoh (2006) puts election as an important instrument through which leader are elected into public offices. It has also been severally submitted that all modern democracies hold election sacrosanct even though not all elections are democratic.As enunciated by Ogunsanwo (2003), elections and democracy are intimately linked to the extent that, thus far, no superior method has been evolved for selecting the leadership of a democratically ruled society.However, the task of attaining an ideal or genuine electoral system is still a daunting one for Nigeria as elections conducted in this fourth republic have shown.1.2   Objective of the StudyThis paper seeks to look at the issues, challenges and prospects encountered during the conduct of the 2015 elections. It would also look at the problem of conducting generally acceptable elections, other objectives are:

• To examine the conduct of the 2015 general elections
• To study the challenges faced during the election
• To check the percentage of citizens that exercises their franchise.
• To discuss the contribution of the stakeholders to the elections
• To examine the role of electoral officers in elections.  
• To suggestions ways on how subsequent process can be improved upon.

1.3   Statement of the Problem        Despite the fact that Nigeria got her independence in 1960 and many elections had been conducted in the state as a democratic nation. Yet, there are still a lot of lapses in the conduct of the elections especially the last conducted general elections.        Right from 1959, Nigeria had witnessed series of election such as 1959, 1983, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 general elections and as an experienced nation about election all forms of electoral malpractices were not supposed to happen. But the 2015 general election became a bone of contention because some Nigerians believed that the election was not conducted as it is being expected under a free and fair atmosphere.1.4   Research Questions        In order to get meaningful and reliable information about the conducts of 2015 general election in Nigeria, the researcher set the following research question;

1. Does democratic governance generate mass welfare?
2. Did INEC face any challenges during and after the election?
3. Does permanent voters card (PVC) serve any importance?
4. Did any prospects arise after the conducts of the election?

1.5   Significance of the Study        The significance of this study is to discuss the necessity of the research work on the challenges faced during the conduct of 2015 election which was held in 2007 in Nigeria. This work is also intended to some prospects of 2015 general elections.        The significance of this study is also to enable the people to know the need for exercising their franchise. It would examine the role of the state in enhancing participatory democracy in Nigeria.        It would assist our political leaders to think about their past deeds with a view to reassessing their norms and behaviors towards political orders.        It creates awareness among Nigeria citizen that election should not be taken as a do-or-die gone.        It re-orientates Nigeria citizens on the need for free and fair elections, it would establish positive attitude of citizens towards voting.1.6   Scope and Limitation        The scope of this write up is 2015 General election: Issues, Challenges faced prospects.The researcher intends to limit the work to the barest limit. In essence, the scope of this study is to examine the issues, challenges faced before and during the conducts of the election and its prospects.Its limitation would be little time for the study besides other academic work. The financial involvement in completing enumerating was so much such that the researcher found it difficult to supply all the financial requirement including stationary expenses, typing of projects materials, other writing materials, transportation cost and so on.1.7   Definition of Terms        To avoid ambiguity and to make the research term a meaningful study, the interpretation of certain terms would be given.

1. Democracy: is a form of government offering a workable solution to the fundamental political of reaching collective decisions by peaceful means.
2. Elections: this implies the way by which people choose their caliber of people that will represent them and it is a very important phenomenon in any democratic society.
3. Electoral security: is a process of providing adequate security before, during and after the conduct of elections.