Title:
ELECTION MANAGEMENT AND NIGERIA’S QUEST FOR DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION: ANALYSIS OF THE 2015 AND 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS AND A PROSPECT FOR 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS

Authors:
Jatau Victoria Satu, Nyor, Gabriel Aza, Hassan M. Zitta and Lere B. Ishaku

Abstract:
The impact of election in any democratic setting remains a stronger pillar in which democracy is consolidated. The synergy between election and democracy is highly complementary. This notwithstanding, since Nigeria’s returned to political dispensation in 1999 after years of military autocratic regime, election management has been characterised with flaw and manipulations. Interestingly, the 2015 general elections marked a watershed in the annals of electoral administrations in Nigeria. The election was not only applauded by the domestic observers, interestingly, it also received positive remarks from notable international observers and monitors. Nevertheless, the momentum of positivism of Nigeria’s electioneering politics was drawn back with the dynamics of the 2019 general elections. In lieu of this, this study analyses the conduct of the 2015 and 2019 elections vis a vis democratic consolidation in Nigeria, and tried to outlined the prospects to a more credible election in 2023. The study embraces ‘Structural Functionalism’ as a theoretical underpinning. The study adopts a qualitative method in its conceptual analysis. With an explicit analysis of the two important elections, the study infers that Nigeria’s electoral system is yet to attain the ‘huruhuru’. The paper suggests first, the implementation of the Iwu’s Committee Report of 2008. Secondly, a robust electoral body that enjoys cooperation of other relevant stakeholders in the administration of free and credible elections in Nigeria. Thirdly, the study also urges all players involved to respect the dictates of electoral laws and any violator (s) deserve stringent punishment to serve as deterrent.

Keywords:
Election, Management, Democratic, Consolidation, Nigeria

DOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.37500/IJESSR.2022.5426