CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0
Background
of the Study
Nigeria’s politics right
from the 90s is usually characterized by violence. It has always been a case
that if a candidate loses, he and his party members will take to violence to
alleviate their dissatisfaction over the election results. The past (military)
and present government have contributed in encouraging this unnecessary means
of reacting to election results (Babatunde, 2007:54). From that time still
date, Nigeria election is usually known for many irregularities and violence
which have affected the economic, social and political stability of the
country.
Elections globally are
very important practice for both developed and developing country, as it serves
as one of the means for sustainable development of a country(Attahiru. J. 2011:5).
It encourages the practice of democracy, giving the citizens chance to
participate in the governance of their country.
Nigeria’s 2019 general
election was an election that can never be forgotten in the history of Nigeria.
It was an election that left Nigerians in fear of what might be its possible
outcome, as the Nigeria environment was really tensed. The absence of war after
the Presidential election is a good sign that Nigeria will forever stand
united, as there were many speculations from international observers and even
from Nigerians that the outcome of the election might possibly lead to war.
These fears were very obvious bearing some reasons in mind: first being that
there was a strong opposition party that had bounced back stronger to take over
from the ruling party of which they succeeded, second being that the economy of
the country was under serious attack from the Boko Harams in the northern part
of the country which could discourage voters and finally, it was crystal clear
that the electoral body (INEC) was really unprepared as there were noticeable
lapses in their conducts; coupled with the postponement of the election from 14th
February to 28th March
(Onapajo, 2019). Bearing the above points in mind, it was difficult for
anyone to expect peaceful elections across the country that was why there were
comments from international observers about the 2019 election. The 2019 general
election was characterized with the opposition party taking over power from the
incumbent president, which has never happened in the history of Nigeria.
Over some decades now,
international observers have been witnessing elections in Africa and reporting
to the global community on how it went in their host community (Obi and Abutudu, 1999:22).
Election monitoring in Africa has gradually been adopted by almost all African
countries as a way of strengthening their political processes(Geisla, 1993:56-57). International
observers are usually seen as being objective and non-partisan, and this is why
their presence is highly needed in the assessment of the performance of the
activities of a country during her election.
International observers are not only seen in Africa during
elections, but also other western countries of the world (Stack, 1993:22-23).
International observers include governmental and non-governmental institutions
like Economic Communities of West African States (ECOWAS), United Nations, etc.
The presence of
international observers has been witnessed during elections in Nigeria, and the
last election which was held in 2019 was not an exemption. According to INEC,
107 observant were accredited to monitor the 2019 elections. Examples of the
group includeInternational Republican Institute (IRI),theEuropean
Union Election Observation Mission and National Democratic Institute (NDI).
The leader of one of the groups, NDI to be precise commented on how
participatory Nigerians were in enfranchising their rights; directly upholding
the tenets of democracy. He pointed some of the challenges faced during the
election and urged the necessary bodies saddled with fixing such challenges to
look into it. One of such challenges was the one tied to the card reader
machine, as it was able to read some people’s card and in most cases the
reverse was the case. This group equally pointed out the lapses caused by INEC
in the delivery of election materials to polling units on time.
Another report from a
different international group observer,theEuropean Union Electoral Observation Mission reported
that the 2019 elections were peaceful and the security personnel were at their
best in ensuring it was peaceful. Though Ambassador
John Campbell
(former) had a different view as regards the credibility of the 2019 elections;
he was of the opinion that the polling at the 2019 elections was credible, but
counting of the cast votes were not credible (sahelblog, 2011). He added that
religious and party sentiments played a greater role in the 2o15 elections.
This is why this study is carried out to find out the role
of foreignelectoralobservers on election in Nigeria; with a closer look at the
recent 2019 elections.
1.1
Statement
of the Problem
Elections in Nigeria have been characterized by so
many irregularities. Irregularities resulting from the body saddled with the
responsibility of conducting elections (INEC). Most especially the 2019
election were we have cases of card reader malfunctioning, late delivery of
election materials, snatching of ballot boxes, high level of insecurities, and
destroying of lives and properties. All these have always greeted the Nigerian
electoral process, thereby limiting the growth of democracy in Nigeria.
In addition, results announced from elections in
Nigeria are usually falsified in most cases. As a result of this, many
Nigerians are discouraged to vote during elections as they have this mindset
that their votes are not counted.
1.2
Objectives
of the Study
The major objective of this study is to examine the role
of foreign electoral observers on election in Nigeria (a case study of Presidential
election).
Other specific objectives include:
1.
To determine the significant
relationship between foreign electoral observers onelection.
2.
To determine the effect of election on
the sustainable development of Nigeria.
3.
To examine how objective foreign
electoral observers are in monitoring elections in Nigeria.
4.
To examine if the presence of foreign
electoral observers reduces electoral fraud.
1.3
Research
Questions
1.
What is the role of foreign electoral
observers on election in Nigeria?
2.
Is there a significant relationship
between foreign electoral observers on election?
3.
Is there an effect of election on the
sustainable development of Nigeria?
4.
Does the presence of foreign electoral
observers reduce electoral fraud?
1.4 Research Hypotheses
H0:Foreign
electoral observers play no roles on election in Nigeria.
H1:Foreign
electoral observers play roles on election in Nigeria.
1.5 Significance
of the Study/ Justification of the study
This study is meant to educate, inform and enlighten
the general public, government and policy makers.
It is important to the general public because it
will help encourage them to exercise their franchise and to know why it is
important to have foreign electoral observers come witness our elections.
To the government, it will bring to their knowledge
that for Nigeria to practice true democracy, those challenges that were pointed
out by foreign electoral observers must be tackled, in other to avoid
subsequent occurrences.
Also, this study is important for policy makers, as
they will have to promote the need for credibility in Nigeria elections.
This study will be of
immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this topic and
can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their work. This study
contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other work or study.
1.6 Scope/Limitations of the Study
This study is
restricted to the study on the role of foreign electoral observers on election
in Nigeria, with Presidential election as a case study.
Limitations
of study
1.
Financial
constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency
of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or
information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and
interview).
2.
Time
constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this
study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time
devoted for the research work.
1.7 Definition of Terms
Role: This
is the function assumed or part played by a person or thing
in a particular situation.
Foreign
Electoral observers:Is the observation of an election
by one or more independent parties, typically from another country or a non-governmental organization (NGO),
primarily to assess the conduct of an election process on the basis of national
legislation and international election standards.
INEC
(INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL
COMMISSION): It was set up in 1998 and is the
electoral body which was set up to oversee elections in Nigeria.
References
BabatundeBabawale (2007), “Nigeria
in the Crises of Governance and Development”, Concept Publication, limited,
Ikeja Lagos, p:54
Attahiru M. Jega (2011) Nigeria’s
2011 General Elections: The International Dimension and Challenges, Lecture
Series No.89 Published by Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos
Nigeria, p.5.
Onapajo, H. (2019). The positive
outcome of the Presidential election: The salience of electoral reforms. The
RoundTable: Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs (in press).
Obi, Cyril and Musa Abutudu, (1999),
“Election observer” in OyeleyeOyediran and Adigun Agbaje (eds.) Nigeria.
Politics of Transition and Governance, 1986-1996, Dakar: CODESRIA Books, p.22.
Geisela, Geisela, (1993), “Fair?
What has Fairness Got to Do With It? Vagaries of Election Observations and
Democratic, p.56-57.
Stack Gerald, (1993) Election
Monitoring and Democracy in Advanced Societies, Allen Unwin Press, London,
p.22-23.
================================================================
Item Type: Project Material | Size: 53 pages | Chapters: 1-5
Format: MS Word | Delivery: Within 30Mins.
================================================================
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.