Abstract
Electoral Related Violence (ERV) is one of the major problems bedevilling the Nigerian democratic system with severe outcomes such as the loss of lives and property, violation of the rule of law, weak democratic governments and poor leadership among others. This study was carried out with the main aim of examining the perspectives, policies and prospects of ERV in Nigeria. The study explored the various dimensions of ERV, the laws that are set up to ensure elections are peaceful and finally, the means of ensuring that ERV is prevented or controlled by the implementation of the relevant laws.The mixed methods research technique was utilized for the gathering of data for this study; both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. A total of 500 randomly selected electoral workers from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were employed for the survey, the respondents were issued questionnaires and also interviewed. The perspectives of ERV that emerged from the study include the provision of a viable health policy for electoral workers, use of technology, improved security measures, independence of electoral bodies, threats and kidnapping, education and training of electoral staff, vote buying and public office attraction. The study also showed that there were already some very important laws and acts contained in the electoral act and the constitution that were designed to address various types of electoral malpractice effectively, however, there have been a very poor implementation of the essential laws that are supposed to act as punitive measures for those found guilty of breaching electoral laws as well acting as dissuading factors for those with criminal intent.The Nigerian electoral law dictates that the relevant punitive measures for electoral malpractice include fines, conviction or both. After exploring the perspectives and policies addressing ERV, this study recommends the adoption of modern communication technologies for election monitoring and exchange of information, strengthening of the security apparatus, full implementation of all relevant existing laws and electoral acts capable of reducing ERV by punishment, provision of relevant health and welfare packages for electoral workers. The study further suggests that the transparency of electoral bodies and provision of adequate education for the masses should be effected as some of the approaches that can be adopted as measures for the reduction or total elimination of ERV among other measures. Keywords: Electoral Related Violence, Perspectives, Policies, Prospects DOI: 10.7176/DCS/12-1-04 Publication date: January 31 st 2022
Highlights
Democracy as a system of government is unique and its use has spread to most countries of the world
There is a current dearth of information about heath policies exclusively designed for electoral workers, studies on health policies have shown that health policies are some of the most efficient ways of ensuring access to health services by the citizens of a country
While explaining the effect of a viable health policy for workers and its impact on worker performances, Lundberg, (2009) asserts that in Sweden, the mortality rate among blue collar workers are higher than that of white collar workers who usually have health policies that cater for their health needs, this shows that the availability of effective health policies amongst staff would significantly improve the welfare of staff
Summary
Democracy as a system of government is unique and its use has spread to most countries of the world. The rule of law in democracies ensures that all are equal and accountable to the law; it ensures that the rights of the people are protected, the adequate representation of citizens in the democratic system is one of the unique features that have made democracy more attractive and effective as a system of government. He further added that the availability of various levels of representation accessible to citizens tend to provide a certain relationship between the people and the government as well as ensuring that the benefits of the democracy are available to all and sundry, the democratic system of government ensures adequate feedbacks as those elected are supposed to convey the needs of the people to the government thereby ensuring that their needs are met and concerns addressed . He further added that the availability of various levels of representation accessible to citizens tend to provide a certain relationship between the people and the government as well as ensuring that the benefits of the democracy are available to all and sundry, the democratic system of government ensures adequate feedbacks as those elected are supposed to convey the needs of the people to the government thereby ensuring that their needs are met and concerns addressed . (Boonlue, 2014; Warren, 1999; Castiglione and Warren, 2006)
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