Constitutional Democracy III – SS3 Civic Education Lesson Note (Second Term)

Constitutional democracy is a system of government in which leaders are chosen by voting at periodic elections and govern according to a constitution.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define election and electoral system.
2. Explain franchise and state who voters (electorates) are.
3. State the functions of an electoral commission, with INEC as the Nigerian example.
4. Describe a ballot paper, a political party and a voters’ register.
5. Explain an independent judiciary, the constitution and freedom of the press.
6. State the meaning of the rule of law.

What are the key concepts in constitutional democracy?

The key concepts are the ideas and institutions that make free and fair elections and lawful government possible.

• Election: the process of choosing leaders by voting.
• Electoral system: the laws, procedures and institutions that guide elections.
• Franchise: the right of citizens to take part in politics, mainly by voting.
• Voters: registered people who vote at an election.
• Electoral commission: the body that conducts elections.
• Ballot paper: the paper on which a voter marks a choice.
• Political party: an organised group that presents candidates for office.
• Voters’ register: the list of people qualified to vote.
• Independent judiciary: courts free from control by the other arms of government.
• Constitution: the supreme body of rules for governing a State.
• Freedom of the press: the right of the media to work without restriction.
• Rule of law: everyone, including leaders, is subject to the law.

What is an election?

An election is the process of choosing leaders by voting.

• Periodic: it is held at regular intervals, as the constitution states.
• Candidates: political parties present them, and electors vote for their choice.
• Purpose: to choose public office holders such as the President, governors and legislators.
• Why periodic: it lets citizens remove poor leaders and renew the mandate of good ones.

What is an electoral system?

An electoral system is the combination of electoral laws, procedures and institutions set up under the constitution.

• Aim: to guide voters as they elect leaders into political or public office.
• Includes: rules on registration, campaigns, voting, counting and announcing results.

What is franchise?

Franchise is the right given to citizens of a State to take part in its political processes.

• Main form: the right to vote, also called suffrage.
• Universal adult suffrage: every adult citizen may vote, whatever their sex, wealth or religion.

Who are voters (electorates)?

Voters, also called the electorate, are people who have properly registered to vote in an election.

• Citizenship: a voter must be a citizen of the country.
• Age: a voter must be at least 18 years old in Nigeria.
• Registration: the voter’s name must appear in the voters’ register.

What is an electoral commission?

An electoral commission is the legal body set up by the constitution to conduct elections in a State or country.

• Nigerian example: the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

What are the functions of an electoral commission?

• Registration of voters: it compiles and updates the voters’ register.
• Registration of parties: it registers political parties that meet the legal conditions.
• Conduct of elections: it organises voting at polling units.
• Announcement of results: it counts votes and declares the winners.
• Voter education: it informs citizens about how to vote.

What is the difference between an electoral system and an electoral commission?

The electoral system is the set of rules, while the electoral commission is the body that applies them.

What is a ballot paper?

A ballot paper is an electoral document on which a voter records a choice.

• Contents: the names and logos of the political parties.
• Voting: the voter thumbprints in the space beside the party of choice.
• Secrecy: the vote is cast privately, so no one knows the choice made.

What are the steps of voting at a polling unit?

1. The voter’s name is checked and the voter is accredited.
2. The voter receives a ballot paper.
3. The voter thumbprints beside the party of choice, in private.
4. The voter folds the ballot paper and drops it in the ballot box.
5. Votes are counted and the result is announced.

What is a political party?

A political party is an organised body set up to present candidates and contest elections.

• Aim: to form a government and manage state resources.

What are the functions of a political party?

• Presenting candidates: it sponsors people for elective positions.
• Making policies: it states what it will do if it wins.
• Educating voters: it informs citizens through campaigns.
• Opposition: a party out of power checks the government.

What is a voters’ register?

A voters’ register is a document containing the names and details of people qualified to vote at a polling unit.

• Updating: the electoral commission updates it to add new qualified voters.
• Use on election day: officials check each voter’s name against it.
• BVAS: in Nigeria, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System is used on election day to verify voters.

What is an independent judiciary?

An independent judiciary is a court system that works without interference from the other arms of government.

• Judiciary: the third arm of government, which interprets the law and settles disputes.
• Independence: it works without influence from the executive and the legislature.
• Why it matters: judges can give fair judgments, including in election disputes.
• Link to democracy: it protects citizens’ rights and checks abuse of power.

What is a constitution?

A constitution is the body of law, rules and regulations that guide the governing of a State.

• Rights and duties: it defines those of both the government and the governed.
• Supremacy: no law or leader is above it.
• Election role: it sets up the electoral commission and states when elections are held.

What is freedom of the press?

Freedom of the press is the right of the media to perform their functions freely.

• Access to information: the media must have free and easy access to information.
• No restriction: neither the government nor any group should limit them.
• Media: newspapers, radio, television and online news platforms.
• Benefit: citizens get facts about leaders and elections, and can hold leaders to account.

What is the rule of law?

The rule of law is the principle that the law is supreme and applies equally to all persons, including those in power.

• Equality before the law: no person, however powerful, is above the law.
• No arbitrary punishment: no one is punished except for breaking a law.
• Fair trial: every accused person is entitled to a hearing in court.

Evaluation

1. Define election and explain why it is held periodically.
2. What is the difference between an electoral system and an electoral commission?
3. State two things a ballot paper contains.
4. Why should the judiciary be independent of the executive and the legislature?
5. State three functions of INEC.

Assignment

1. Explain how freedom of the press supports constitutional democracy, using two points.