ELECTORAL INTEGRITY

This project work portrays the theoretical framework applicable and assesses the impact of the several mentioned irregularities, especially if they were of sufficient magnitude or scope to curb money politics and commercialization of votes in Nigeria: analysis of the 2024 governorship election in Edo state. Controversies and uncertainties over allegations of irregularities reflect the problematic role of the State bureaucracy, serious inadequacy and lack of transparency in the election administration process in Nigeria. Therefore, election, voting, violence, and vote buying issues examined in this research work include- the theoretical framework applicable; electoral malpractices as restrictive registration of potential voters; the training of citizens on minimum concepts of civic responsibility; voter intimidation and other sources of suppression or distortion of voter will and recommendation on the mechanisms to increase popular participation, transparency, credibility and integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria. It was discovered that the impact of vote buying was difficult to demonstrate with empirical evidence. Our analysis indicates that the incumbent may have benefited marginally from vote buying, but his benefits were nowhere nearly as salient as some observers have perceived. We also find that the stability, legitimacy and effectiveness of the government may be undermined if it fails to develop mechanisms to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.

Election as a democratic instrument is a means to an end. The import of this statement is that in a democratic society like Nigeria, the people express their ability to elect the candidate of their choice from competing political parties in an election. This is in tandem with Abraham Lincoln's perception of democracy, as a government of the people, by the people and for the people. The aim and objective of this essay is to examine the electoral system in the democratic republic of Nigeria, in the context of
persistent electoral malpractices, and challenges to result credibility. The study particularly emphasizes the weaknesses of traditional voting process used in Nigeria, against the background of technological models in digitize democracies in contemporary times. As a case study, this essay examines the 2023 Presidential election in light of the allegations of vote manipulation, delays in casting votes, challenges in the transmission of election result by the commission (INEC), and other electoral discrepancies manifested in the election. This essay uses a doctrinal research methodology, by analyzing primary sources like the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, court judgments from election petitions, and other sources like INEC regulations, articles in newspapers, articles in journals, statistical reports, blogs and other periodicals. Furthermore, it undertakes a comparative analysis of technological models adopted in elections in Nigeria, against the backdrop of other jurisdictions like Estonia, and Namibia. It identifies specific gaps in the Electoral Act 2022, regarding the use of electoral technology, its regulations and the discretion given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in the deployment of said technology. Thus, the study concludes by proffering viable recommendations for the legal, technological, and institutional reforms, aimed at strengthening Nigeria's electoral processes and enhancing public trust in election outcomes.