Democratic Processes – JSS3 Civic Education Lesson Note (Third Term)

Voting is the act of choosing a leader or representative under constitutional procedures and guidelines.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define voting;
2. explain what voters’ registration is and who is responsible for it;
3. describe the process of voting on election day;
4. state five reasons why voting is important.

What is voting?

Voting is an act of choosing a leader or representative under constitutional procedures and guidelines.

• When it happens: voting normally takes place during an election.
• Who votes: qualified citizens who have registered with the electoral body.
• Who organises it: the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
• Voting age in Nigeria: 18 years and above.

What is voters’ registration?

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

• Who is responsible: the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) registers voters before elections.
• Where it is done: at registration centres, with electoral officers.
• Choice of centre: each voter should register at a centre very close to their home.
• What the voter does: supplies the necessary information about themselves to the electoral officers.
• What the voter receives: a voter’s card after registration.
• Use of the card: it qualifies the voter to vote on election day.

What is the process of voting?

The process of voting is the set of steps a registered voter follows on election day to cast a vote.

• Before election day: each qualified voter must already be registered and hold a voter’s card.
• On election day: the voter follows the steps below.

Steps of voting on election day

1. The voter goes to the centre where they registered.
2. The voter presents the voter’s card and is accredited for voting.
3. After accreditation, the voter is given a ballot paper, which contains the names of all the political parties and their logos.
4. The voter thumbprints the political party of their choice.
5. The voter drops the ballot paper inside the ballot box provided by the electoral commission.

Summary table of the stages

What are the electoral materials used in voting?

Electoral materials are the items used to register voters and to carry out an election.

• Voter’s card: proves that a person is registered and qualified to vote.
• Ballot paper: carries the names and logos of the political parties.
• Ballot box: holds the ballot papers after voters have cast their votes.

A debit card is not an electoral material.

What are the duties of a voter?

A voter is a registered citizen who takes part in an election, and a good voter behaves responsibly.

• Know the candidates: find out about the candidates and their parties before voting.
• Obey voting laws: follow all federal and state voting laws.
• Respect privacy: respect the privacy of other voters.
• Ask questions: ask the electoral officers when something is not clear.
• Keep the peace: never beat or threaten electoral officers or other voters.

Why is voting important?

Voting is important because it lets citizens take part in choosing and checking their government.

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 reasons why voting is important.
3. Define voting.
4. State who is responsible for voters’ registration.

General evaluation and 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 programme 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 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.

Assignment

Reading assignment

Fundamentals of Civic Education Book 3 by Sola Akinyemi, pages 34 to 38.

Weekend assignment

1. Who among the following was the first executive president of Nigeria? A. Shehu Shagari B. Nnamdi Azikiwe C. Obafemi Awolowo D. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
2. After registration, a voter is issued a ________. A. License B. Receipt C. Voter’s 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. voter’s 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 reasons why voting is important in Nigeria.