Free and Fair Elections – JSS3 Civic Education Lesson Note (Third Term)

Free and fair elections 

Meaning of Free and Fair Elections 

A free and fair election is an election conducted according to the principles and rules of democracy. It is an election that is conducted in a peaceful atmosphere without any form of electoral malpractice.

Free and fair elections mean that the people of a country must be free without force or intimidation to elect their leaders.

Importance of Free and Fair Election

1. It enables good leaders to be voted into power.
2. It helps to prevent riots and violence.
3. It encourages citizens to be more involved in voting.
4. It helps to prevent the loss of lives and property.
5. It enables citizens to have trust and confidence in their leaders.
6. It enables citizens to remove a bad government and bad leaders.
7. A free and fair election boosts a country’s image.

 Evaluation

1. Define free and fair elections.
2. What is the importance of free and fair elections? 

General Evaluation/Revision Questions

1. Identify four features of the 1951 Macpherson constitution.
2. What were the advantages of the 1951 Macpherson constitution?
3. Mention the disadvantages of the 1951 Macpherson constitution.
4. How many ministers were in the executive council of Macpherson’s constitution?
5. Which of the Nigerian constitution created for the first time the House of Representatives?

 ACTIVITY

1. Nigeria as a nation came into existence in ………… A. 1960     B. 1920     C. 1963     D. 1914 
2. Attributes of honesty are the following except ….. A. integrity    B. boldness  C. honour D.untruthfulness 
3. Integrity means…………A. good sense of belonging     B. a good boy    C. a sense of strong moral standard about life and situation     D. to be physically strong 
4. Attributes of contentment include …. A. satisfaction   B. encouragement  C. empowerment D. development 
5. Discipline is………. A. attitude of doing the right thing at the right time  B. ability to pursue a goal    C. the way of life     D. none of the above. 
6. An example of negative behaviour is …… A. leadership    B. followership    C. cultism    D. enjoyment. 
7. In societies where the citizens are disciplined, all these may occur except……A. peace    B. progress                        C. harmony    D. corruption.
8. All these can happen to an individual without self-control except……..  A. overeating  B. moderation                C. overreacting to situation    D. fighting in public. 
9. Lack of contentment will lead to one of the following. A. Envy  B. Honesty  C. Love  D. Faithfulness
10. A woman who is not content with her income may be…….. A. lured into prostitution   B. wooed to become a politician     C. forced to travel abroad    D. forced to hate the rich. 

 Reading Assignment

Fundamentals of Civic Education book 3 by Sola Akinyemi.

 Weekend Assignment

1. In which year did Nigeria become an Independent country A. 1959 B. 1960 C. 1963 D. 1961.
2. Democracy Day in Nigeria is on A. May 28th B. May 30th C. May 29th D. May 27th
3. Workers’ Day is celebrated all over the world on the A. May 1st B. May 4thC. May 10thD. May 7th
4. __________ is the capital of Bayelsa state A. Asaba B. Warri C. Yenogoa D. Port–Harcourt.
5. Who among the following was the first military head of state of Nigeria? A. AguiyiIronsi

1. Muritala Mohammed C. Yakubu Gowon D. SanniAbacha.

Theory  

• Mention five importance of free and fair elections.

• Define free and fair elections.