Importance of Elections – JSS3 Civic Education Lesson Note (Third Term)

An election is the process by which the people of a democratic country choose their leaders by casting votes.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. define election and explain key election terms;
2. explain why elections are necessary in a democratic society;
3. state at least five importances of elections;
4. describe how elections allow a peaceful change of government;
5. explain how campaigns and rallies give people political education.

What is an election?

An election is a process in which eligible citizens vote to choose people for public office.

• Electorate: all the citizens who are qualified to vote.
• Candidate: a person who contests an election for a political office.
• Political party: a group of people with shared ideas who seek to win elections and run the government.
• Manifesto: a written statement of what a party promises to do if it wins.
• Ballot paper: the paper on which a voter marks his or her choice.
• Constituency: the area whose voters elect a representative.

Who can vote in Nigeria?

A person can vote in Nigeria if he or she is a citizen aged 18 or above and is registered as a voter.

• Citizenship: the person must be a Nigerian citizen.
• Age: the person must be at least 18 years old.
• Registration: the person must register with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and hold a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC).

Why are elections important in a democratic society?

There are six main importances of elections: choice of leaders, peaceful change of government, promotion of democracy, political education, participation in government and measure of popularity.

1. Choice of leaders: elections let the people choose leaders for offices such as president, governor and legislator.
2. Easy and peaceful change of government: elections let the people remove a bad government from office peacefully and replace it with another.
3. Promotion of democracy: election is one of the pillars of democracy, and regular free and fair elections help to sustain it.
4. Opportunity for political education: elections give parties a chance to teach the people about politics through campaigns and rallies.
5. Opportunity for participation in government: citizens take part in government by voting for candidates of their choice.
6. Measure of popularity: elections show how much support the government in power has among the people.

Which offices are filled by election in Nigeria?

Nigerians elect leaders at the federal, state and local government levels.

How do elections allow a peaceful change of government?

Elections replace a government by votes instead of force, so power changes hands without violence.

1. Political parties present their candidates and manifestos to the people.
2. Voters compare the parties and vote on election day.
3. The electoral body counts the votes and declares the winner.
4. The winner is sworn in and the old government hands over power.
5. A candidate who disagrees with the result may go to court instead of using violence.

How do campaigns and rallies give people political education?

Campaigns and rallies are public events where parties explain their plans and teach voters about government.

• Manifestos: parties tell the people what they will do in office.
• Rights and duties: voters learn about their right to vote and their duty to take part.
• Public issues: voters hear about problems such as education, health, roads and security.
• Comparison: voters can compare parties and candidates before choosing.

What would happen without elections?

Without elections, leaders could take power by force and stay in office without the consent of the people.

• No choice: citizens would have no say in who rules them.
• No peaceful change: bad leaders could only be removed by force.
• No accountability: leaders would not need to answer to the people.
• No participation: citizens would be shut out of government.

What makes an election free and fair?

A free and fair election is one in which every qualified citizen can vote freely and the votes are counted honestly.

• Independent electoral body: the body that runs the election is not controlled by any party.
• Secret ballot: no one can see how a person voted.
• Equal chance: every party and candidate is allowed to campaign.
• Honest counting: results are counted and announced openly and truthfully.
• No violence or bribery: voters are not forced or paid to vote for anyone.

Evaluation

1. Define election.
2. State five reasons why elections are important in a democratic society.
3. What is a manifesto?
4. How do campaigns and rallies give people political education?
5. All the following are importances of elections except: A. elections promote violence B. elections promote democracy C. elections enhance political participation D. elections ensure a peaceful change of government.

Assignment

Read Fundamentals of Civic Education for JS 3 by Sola Akinyemi, pages 40 to 41. Then explain in your own words how elections allow a peaceful change of government and why this matters in a democracy.