Electoral Malpractices in Nigeria – JSS3 Civic Education Lesson Note (Third Term)

Electoral malpractice is any act that goes against the laws guiding the conduct of elections. It is also called electoral fraud.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. Define electoral malpractice.
2. State another name for electoral malpractice.
3. List the forms of electoral malpractice in Nigeria.
4. Identify the causes of electoral malpractice in Nigeria.
5. State the effects of electoral malpractice on the country.
6. Suggest ways of reducing electoral malpractice.

What is electoral malpractice?

Electoral malpractice is any illegal interference with the electoral process of a country.

• Meaning: going against the laws guiding the conduct of elections.
• Another name: electoral fraud.
• Who it affects: voters (the electorate), candidates, political parties and election officials.
• Body in charge of elections in Nigeria: the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

What is an election?

An election is the process by which citizens choose their leaders by voting.

• Electorate: the people who are qualified to vote.
• Voter card: the card that shows a person has registered to vote.
• Polling (voting) centre: the place where voters cast their votes.
• Free and fair election: an election held without cheating, force or fear.

What are the forms of electoral malpractice in Nigeria?

There are six common forms of electoral malpractice in Nigeria, listed below.

1. Illegal registration: registering to vote when not qualified, such as registration by underage persons.
2. Voting more than once: one person casting several votes in the same election.
3. Possession of more than one voter card: holding extra cards in order to vote many times.
4. Intimidation of voters: threatening voters at voting centres so that they stay away or vote against their wish.
5. Improper counting of votes: counting or recording votes wrongly on purpose to favour a candidate.
6. Violence and chaos during elections: fighting, thuggery and disorder that disturb voting.

When do these malpractices happen?

What are the causes of electoral malpractice?

Electoral malpractice is caused by poverty, greed for power, poor education and weak enforcement of the law.

• Poverty: poor people may sell their votes or take part in violence for small gifts.
• “Win at all costs” attitude: some candidates and parties will do anything to win.
• Improper education of voters and candidates: people do not know the electoral rules or their rights.
• Non-implementation of electoral laws: offenders are not punished, so others copy them.
• Bad economy: hardship makes people easy to buy or use for wrongdoing.
• High level of illiteracy: people who cannot read may be misled or cheated easily.

What are the effects of electoral malpractice?

Electoral malpractice produces leaders who were not truly chosen by the people.

• Wrong leaders: people the voters did not choose may come into office.
• Loss of trust: citizens lose faith in elections and in INEC.
• Voter apathy: many people stop voting because they feel their votes do not count.
• Violence: disputed results can lead to riots, injuries and loss of life.
• Poor governance: leaders who cheat to win may not feel answerable to the people.

How can electoral malpractice be reduced?

Electoral malpractice can be reduced by educating citizens and punishing offenders.

1. Educate voters and candidates on the electoral laws and their rights.
2. Enforce the electoral laws and punish offenders.
3. Reduce poverty and improve the economy so that votes cannot be bought easily.
4. Register only qualified persons and check the voter register carefully.
5. Provide security at voting centres to prevent intimidation and violence.
6. Count and record votes openly, in the presence of party agents and observers.

Evaluation

1. Define electoral malpractice.
2. State another name for electoral malpractice.
3. Mention four forms of electoral malpractice in Nigeria.
4. Identify three causes of electoral malpractice in Nigeria.
5. State two ways of reducing electoral malpractice.

Assignment

Read Fundamentals of Civic Education Book 3 by Sola Akinyemi, pages 43 to 49. Then define electoral malpractice and explain four of its causes in one line each.