Democratic Processes JSS3 Civic Education Lesson Note

DEMOCRATIC PROCESS 

DEFINITION OF VOTING

Voting normally takes place during an election. Voting is an act of choosing a leader or representative under constitutional procedures and guidelines. 

Voters’ Registration: Voters’ registration is a process of identifying prospective voters who are eligible to vote in a future election.  

Qualified voters normally register by providing necessary information to electoral officers at registration centres.

Each voter is expected to register at a registration centre that is very close to his house. 

He supplies all necessary information about him and he is issued a voter’s card after the registration. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is responsible for the registration of voters before elections.

 PROCESS OF VOTING

Before the date of election, each qualified voter is expected to have registered. At the registration centre, he will be given a voter’s card which qualifies him to vote on the day of the election. 

On election day, the voter goes to the centre where he has registered. He presents his voter’s card and he will be accredited for voting. After accreditation, he is given the ballot paper which contains the names of all the political parties and their logos. The voter is expected to thumbprint on the political party of his choice. The voter drops the ballot paper inside the ballot box provided by the electoral commission.

 IMPORTANCE OF VOTING:

1. Voting enables citizens of a country to choose their leaders.
2. Voting allows qualified citizens to enjoy their right to choose their leaders.
3. Voting makes democracy succeed in a country.
4. When citizens vote, they are indirectly involved in making major decisions for their country.
5. Voting enables citizens of a country to remove a bad government.

Evaluation

1. Explain the process of voting.
2. Identify five importance of voting.
3. Define voting.

General Evaluation / Revision Questions

1. Mention three disadvantages of the 1963 republican constitution.
2. Identify five features of the 1979 constitution.
3. What were the achievements of the 1979 constitution?
4. What were the features of the 1989 constitution?
5. What were the features of the 1999 presidential constitution?

ACTIVITY

1. The following are consequences of bad governance EXCEPT ……….A. civil unrest B. discipline                      C. economic hardship     D. failure of government program E. waste of resources.
2. The tier of government that operates at the grassroots level is the …….A. community B. emirate  C. federal     D. local    E. State.
3. Supremacy of the ………. means that the laws or rules and regulations of a country are the highest authority that must be obeyed by all citizens. A. constitution   B. government  C. institution   D. jurisdiction E. people
4. The meaning of EFCC is ………. A. Enlightenment and Financial Crime Commission C. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission D. Economic and Future Crimes Commission E. Enforcement and Future Crime Commission.
5. Voters are responsible for the following except…………A. respect the privacy of others     B. beat electoral officers     C. know the candidate   D. adhere to all federal and state voting laws    E. ask questions when not clear.
6. The ideal reason anyone should contest for an election is…………A. to embezzle funds.  B. to loot the treasury   C. to serve     D. to be extravagant      E. to be corrupted
7. The following are fundamental human rights except for freedom of ……… A. personal liberty  B. speech     C. worship    D. manipulation   E. life.
8. The following are the attributes of a good citizen except…… A. obedience     B. loyalty    C. partiality        D. patriotism   E. honesty.
9. All the following are features of the rule of law except……        A. equality before the law    B. fair hearing     C. impartiality        D. delegated legislation    E. supremacy of the constitution
10. A contented person is always ………  A. envious  B. greedy   C. poor   D. satisfied    E. sad.

Reading Assignment

Fundamentals of Civic Education book 3 by Sola Akinyemi, pages 34 – 38.

Weekend Assignment

1. Who among the following was the first executive president of Nigeria? A. ShehuShagari B. NnamdiAzikiwe C. Obafemi Awolowo D. AbubakarTafawaBalewa.
2. After registration, a voter is issued a ________ A. License B. Receipt C. Voters card D. Debit card.
3. Which of the following government agencies is responsible for giving voters cards? A. NAFDAC B. INEC C. EFCC D. NEMA.
4. All the following are electoral materials except A. ballot paper B. ballot box C. voters card D. debit card.
5. The voting age in Nigeria is A. 14 years and above B. 16 years and above C. 70 years and above D. 18 years and above.

Theory 

1. Explain the process of voting.
2. Mention five importance of voting in Nigeria.