INSECURITY, VIOLENCE AND VOTER TURNOUT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Against the backdrop of growing concern and common desire for consolidation of the democratic system in Nigeria through credible, free and fair elections, this research paper interragates the impact of electoral violence vis-a-vis voter turnout statistics as it relates to the electoral process. Informed by the nuanced view of the political behaviour and susceptibility of Nigerian electorates, the study is an enquiry into how supportive or otherwise the identified variables and drivers impacts on the credibility of the electoral pracess. This study was conducted between January, 2012 and July, 2013. The multi-stage sampling technique was used to select seven thousand, two hundred (7,200) respondents across the six geopolitical zones of the country. The data were analyzed with the aid of simple percentage, the Chi-Square and Yule's Q to test and determine the degree of association intrinsic in the stated hypotheses. The study revealed that voter participation in the electoral process is inhibited by violence and widespread insecurity and hence, increased tendency towards political apathy by the citizenry. Accordingly, some recommendations and policy implications becomes imperative. For instance, there is need for the Independent Electoral Commission {lNEC} to conduct transparent, free and fair elections, improve voters' registration process and adequately educate voters'; the government should be genuinely supportive of the electoral body, while the political parties should ensure internal party democracy. Ultimately, the actualization of credibility, fairness, effective voters' participation in the electoral process and the quest for democratic consolidation would require the collaboration of all relevant
stakeholders in the Nigerian polity