Electoral Process – SS2 Government Lesson Note (First Term)

An election is the act of choosing candidates for different offices in government. The candidates represent the people in parliament or other government positions. Political parties or groups contest for political power through the ballot, which gives the electorate’s mandate. Elections may be direct, where voters choose representatives themselves, or indirect, where an Electoral College votes for them.

Behavioural objectives

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

• define an election;
• state the functions and advantages of elections;
• state the demerits of elections;
• distinguish between direct and indirect elections;
• state the advantages and demerits of direct and indirect elections.

What is an election?

An election may be defined as an act of choosing or selecting candidates for different offices in government. The candidates are to represent the people of a country in the parliament or other positions of government. It is a contest between competing political parties or groups to acquire political power through the ballot, that is, the electorate’s mandate.

What are the functions and advantages of elections?

Elections are held to serve the following functions:

1. Choosing representatives: Elections make it possible for citizens to choose those who will represent their interests and opinions in the government.
2. Elections are used to change a government smoothly and in an orderly way.
3. Elections confer legitimacy on the government as representatives of the people.
4. Elections make the government responsive to the needs of the people, since it can be voted out.
5. Elections allow political parties to educate the people on national issues.
6. Elections are used to test the popularity of the government or a member of parliament.
7. Elections help to integrate the different societies.
8. Elections help to socialise the people.

What are the demerits of elections?

1. Elections bring about polarisation of the people of a country into antagonistic groups.
2. The division of people caused by elections brings about disunity in a country.
3. Elections are too expensive to conduct.
4. Minority groups are usually not favoured during elections.
5. Elections cause uneven development, as areas that failed to vote for the party in power are neglected.
6. Elections breed nepotism, divisionism and ethnocentrism.
7. Elections enthrone politicians who deceive the people with fake manifestoes and sugar-coated tongues.

What are the types of election?

Direct election

This is the method by which the electorate casts their votes directly in choosing people to represent them in the legislature and other offices in government. Only qualified voters are allowed to take part in this political exercise.

Advantages of direct election

1. It gives voters the freedom to elect members of the legislature without interference.
2. It is a requirement of representative government.
3. It guarantees political equality of the citizens, that is, one man, one vote.
4. Voters show more interest in government and know their representatives.
5. Elected representatives are usually the popular choice of the people.

Demerits of direct election

1. Many voters may not be able to vote intelligently because of a lack of proper political education.
2. Direct voting may cause hatred and embarrassment.
3. It encourages violence during polling because of the number of people involved.
4. A lot of rigging is involved in direct elections because it is the final election to elect representatives.
5. Corrupt candidates may use their wealth to buy the votes of the electorate, particularly in poor societies.

Indirect election

This is election into the legislature in two or more stages, that is, through the Electoral College, which votes on behalf of the people.

Merits of indirect election

1. The electors who finally select the members of the legislature are competent.
2. It is less violent than a direct election.
3. Candidates elected through indirect elections are more qualified, based on the intelligence level of the people who elected them.
4. It is less expensive and offers little opportunity for rigging and electoral malpractices.
5. It improves the quality of legislation and administration in a country, owing to the candidates’ qualifications.

Demerits of indirect election

1. The Electoral College can be easily influenced and bribed with money.
2. Some interests may not be adequately represented in the legislature.
3. The electorate does not know their representatives, and this form of election does not reflect popular choice.
4. Government policies are not in line with the wishes of the masses, as they do not have the opportunity to choose manifestoes of their choice.
5. It does not encourage equality of votes and it is less democratic, since the people do not vote directly.

Evaluation

1. Define an election.
2. State four functions of elections.
3. State four demerits of elections.
4. What is the difference between direct and indirect election?
5. Give two advantages of direct election and two demerits of indirect election.

Assignment

1. Explain three advantages of indirect election.
2. Explain three demerits of direct election.