THE ROLE OF ELECTORAL COMMISSION IN ENHANCING DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF IMO STATE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION OWERRI)

Thesis Overview

BACKGROUND OF STUDYIn every democratic system, the electorates elect those who will represent their interest at the government level and chart the course for their socio-economic development.Election are therefore used as vital instrument to elect those who would be in authority and champion the course and welfare of the citizenry as well as promoting peace and stability in the state.In Nigeria, the independent national electoral commission (INEC) was set up in 1998 major general Abdusalam Abubaka who succeeded the them head of state   major general Sani Abuacha who died mysteriously prior to Abuchas exit, he had in place an election that will usher un the democratically elected government in 1st October 1998.However, after his death, the Abubaka’s regime cognizance of the role of electoral commission dissolved the NECON and set-up –the independent National Election commission (INEC) charge to organize and ensure an effective election and smooth transition of power military government respectably thus , to ensure holistic conduct of the elections, state independent electoral commissions were set upon or establish in all the emergence of Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (IMOSIEC) which had the same statutory function as that of INEC to ensure a peaceful, free and fair conduct of both state, local   government and counsel election in Imo State. Therefore, for a deeper and all an compassing knowledge of the role of electoral, electoral commission in enhancing the development of democracy in Nigeria, IMSIEC was considered as a case study in view of the fact that it constitutes an integral part of independent national electoral commission.However the staff of IMSEC, who were one hundred and twenty (120) and the general public who were one fifty two (52) in number through random selection constitution the population for this research exercise.1.1   STATEMENT OF PROBLEMThere had been clear ion calls from people in Nigeria on the haphazard manner and pattern in which electoral commission handled elections in the past result often   leads to corruption of violence and subsequent cost of valuable life’s and property.In addition, the problems of electoral malpractice, rigging, ballot box and paper hijack among the rank and file of the assumed independence electoral commission officials, which remorsefully in must case, erupt crises there by destabilizing the policy. Further more, the issue of late arrive of and in adequate electoral materials in most polling centre as well as inaccurate voters list which sometimes disfranchise eligible registered electorates from exercising their civil responsibilities. Most importantly non- neutrality of the electoral commission constitutes remorse fully another major problem. It is incontestable that the various electoral commission we have in the past have in way or the other being unduly influence by some political stalwarts in declaring a falsified result in favor of candidates who would have lost the election. Additionally, it commission knowledge that he who pays the piper, dictate the time, therefore, there is every possibilities that induces influence by the ruling party will definitely affect the statutory performance of the independence electoral commission.1.2 OBJECTIVE OF STUDYAware of the fact that the peace and stability of a given polity cannot be handled with kid glove approach, the need to involved an effective and efficient functional machinery of transition of power from one democratically elected government to another becomes unquestionable imperative. In the light of the above this research seeks to pursue the following objective.

• Assess the performance of the electoral commission in Nigeria especially, the independent national electoral commission (INEC)
• To examine the role, functions and activities of the electoral commission in and stability of the nation.
• To analyze the problems, hindrances obstacle and lapses of the electoral commission.
• To examine the feature of free and fair election in Nigeria.
• To identify the problems military against the conduct of free and fair elections in Nigeria using Imo State independent electoral commission as a case study.SCOPE OF THE STUDY IN LIMITATIONThis research work was limited to Imo state alone the dimension of this study will not exceed the use of questionnaires and personal interviews through request for relevant materials and available document from the chainman the researcher. However, amidst these constraints, the researcher was able to make progress with the available resource at hand given the limited time frame.SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDYThe significance of study cannot be over emphasized. This researcher work in therefore significant in the following areas.
  • It is significant to the following areas. Federation of Nigeria as some of them will be informed by its revelation.
  The negative role some of them play in securing power.
  • It will serve as an eye-opener to the electorates who will be exposed to some vital issues beyond their imagination.
  • It will also be significant to the politicians who allow their selfish interest to come to bear on the collective interest of the people in Nigeria
  • It will serve as a moral boaster to the official of the independent national and state electoral commission on the vital role that play in enhancing democracy in Nigeria.
  • It is significant for students who would to research further on the course under discussion.
  • It will equally expose the research on some vital issue affecting the stability of the country.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

• It is understandable of the fact that the ways election are organized for leaders to emerge as the ensure forms of politics. Therefore, this research work is backed up by the Car/Max theory and the western liberal theory the Marxist concept of polities was concerned with society. Individual and the economy. It was based on production reproduction and sustenance of the material existence of any society.Therefore, the Marxist sees politics as a struggle or contest for the control of the economic and social institution, the state, the out come of this consists in the division of society into two antagonistic class the bourgeoisies and proletariat.In he another development, the western liberal theory conceives politics as all those human activities that are directed towards and indeed reflected in the process of acquiring using and maintaining governmental power. Max webs is one of the profounder of this theory from the above theorist, it is pertinent to point out that the way people perceive power determines their role in influencing the electoral process just to secure power.

STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS

• The following hypothesis were formulated by the researcher to enable him verify the validity of his claim on the issue on ground.Ho: Represents null hypothesisHi: Represent alternative hypothesis stated below are the hypothesis formulated by the researcher.Hypothesis iH0: The electoral process as applied in Nigeria do not significantly political interest of the electorates.Hi: The electoral processes as applied in Nigeria significantly promote. Political interest of the electorates.Hypothesis iiH0: The electoral process as applied in Nigeria do not significantly encourage the activities of ethnic militias.Hi: Electoral processes as applied in Nigeria significantly promote the activities of the ethnic militias.Hypothesis iiiH0: The electoral processes as applied in Nigeria do not significantly enhance nation building.Hi: The electoral processes in Nigeria significantly enhance nation building.

OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

• • INEC: Independent national electoral commission.
  • IMSIEC: Imo State Independent electoral commission.
  • ELECTORATE: The people in a country who have the right do vote.
  • ELECTION: the process of choosing a person or group of person for leadership position.
  • VOTE: choice made by a participant in a shared decision.
  • Democracy: A system of government whereby the people elect those who are to represent at both the federal, State. Local government level.
  • DEVELOPMENT: The gradual improvement of the and socio-economic condition of a given society.
  • FRANCHISE: Right to vote or right of an individual to vote candidates.
  • POLITICS: The organization and administration of the state.
  • POLITICIANS: people who play politics.