Electoral malpractice as enemy of democracy

Election is an essential part of democracy which ensures the right to vote and be voted for. This is the beauty of democracy and explains why it is the most preferred system of government in human history. However, electoral malpractices are endangering democracy, and calling to question, the credibility and legitimacy of democracy. Electoral malpractice […]

Election is an essential part of democracy which ensures the right to vote and be voted for. This is the beauty of democracy and explains why it is the most preferred system of government in human history. However, electoral malpractices are endangering democracy, and calling to question, the credibility and legitimacy of democracy.

Electoral malpractice is often referred to as electoral fraud and it is the change of vote count in an election. It can also be a process where the rules and regulations that govern or guide the conduct of elections are manipulated to a favour a particular candidate or political party.

The task of having a free and fair election is not just for the federal government rather it is also part of the duties of the Nigeria citizens. The citizens of Nigeria can avoid greed and report anyone who they see violating electoral laws.

Arresting and prosecuting people who violate the electoral laws, must be done effectively so as to show other electoral law offenders how wrong violating electoral law is and showing the law offenders it has consequences.

There should be programmes to educate people, so as to reduce the level of illiteracy in the country. Electoral malpractice often takes place in the rural areas where the people are more ignorant to things that are wrong which they didn’t know is wrong. The federal government or people who actually know the right thing should take time to reach out to the people who are less privileged of knowing what the right thing is about electoral malpractice.

Other ways of tackling this issue include a strict measure against electoral malpractice, honest men and women should be appointed into the electoral institution to conduct the task elections, proper funding and giving adequate training to election staffs.

The democratic process of Nigeria cannot be successful or progressive without the conduct of free and fair election. Election is indeed part of the process of democracy. The values that are meant to be attached to the task of election include, social justice, honesty, rule of law, equity, fairness, true leadership and good governance.

There is a need to have continuous review of the causes of electoral malpractice in order to find good and long-lasting solutions to them.

 

Adejugbe Oluwatosin Mokunfola wrote via [email protected]