Electoral process in Nigeria is plagued by violence and insecurity. From ballot box snatching, thuggery and falsifications and alterations of results to the killing of innocent citizens. The lack of transparency and accountability has eroded the people’s trust in the system. These state of affairs is a travesty of democracy and must be addressed urgently if we are to move forward as a nation.
Electoral violence has been a persistent problem in Nigeria, with scores of people killed and injured in recent years during elections. This violence is often fueled by poverty, inequality, and a lack of faith in the electoral process. Since independence in 1960, Nigeria has experienced several periods of civil unrest and military rule, and elections have often been marred by violence. This has led to a loss of trust in the electoral system and a decrease in voter turnout.
Electoral violence is separated from other forms of political violence by a combination of timing and motive. The time aspect relates to violence carried out during the election period. The objective of electoral violence is to influence the electoral process and in extension its outcome.
They are various types of electoral violence, such as intimidation, physical violence, property destruction, and vote buying.
According to Human Rights Watch, at least 600 people were killed in post-election violence in 2011, and over 800 people were killed during the 2015 general elections.
It was also reported that ”at least, 626 people were said to have been killed between the start of the campaign in October 2018 and the final election in March 2019″ and in the just concluded 2023 general election the executive director Kimpact Development Initiative, a civil society organisation Bukola Idowu said “In total, we had like about 238 cases of election violence, which is spread across the country, and not good enough and each of them has their perpetrators and then also the victims, which we have close to 900 victims, and at the same time, reported 24 cases of electoral death.”
the records of electoral violence are undeniably enormous and this brings us to the causes of electoral violence:
What are The Causes of Electoral Violence?
There are a number of factors that contribute to the problem of electoral violence in Nigeria. One major cause is the politicization of ethnicity and religion; Many political parties are affiliated with specific ethnic or religious groups, and this can lead to tension and conflict during elections. Additionally, there is often a lack of trust in the electoral process, due to past experiences of fraud and vote rigging. Furthermore, there is a high level of poverty and unemployment in the country, which can lead to frustration and anger among the population.
Another major cause of electoral violence in Nigeria is the lack of economic opportunities for young people. Youth unemployment is a serious issue, and many young people feel marginalized and excluded from the political process. This can lead to frustration and anger, which can manifest itself in violence during elections. Additionally, there is a high level of corruption in the country, which contributes to the problem. Many people believe that the government is not accountable to the people, and that elections are not a genuine expression of the will of the people.
What Must the Government Do to Curb Electoral Violence?
On the issue of electoral violence, there are a number of steps that the government can take to reduce electoral violence in Nigeria. First and foremost, it is important to address the underlying causes of violence, such as poverty, unemployment, and corruption.
Additionally, the government should work to strengthen civil society and ensure that organizations have the resources and freedom they need to operate effectively. It is also important to reform the electoral process, to ensure that it is transparent, credible, and well-monitored.
Thirdly, contestants should be urged to engage in issue based campaigns rather than using words capable of heating up the polity during campaigns and elections especially using religion considering that Nigeria is a religious fragile country, any act deemed to offend a particular religion may likely lead to violence.
Finally, the government should take a strong stance against violence and punish those responsible.
Well, the Nigerian government has taken a few steps to address the issue of electoral violence. For example, Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, introduced the Biometric Voter Accreditation System in 2021. Since then, the BVAS has been used in subsequent elections, including the 2022 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States and in #AnambraDecides2021. Anambra was not the first time INEC had deployed BVAS. Its first promenade was in the Isoko South Constituency 1 bye-election in Delta State on 10 September, 2021 and in the just concluded 2023 presidency election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also implemented reforms to make the electoral process more transparent and credible. The government has also established a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to investigate and prevent human rights abuses, including those related to elections. Additionally, the Nigerian Police Force has created a special unit to investigate election-related crimes.
Another thing the government must do is creation of skill acquisition and empowerment centres for youths to help reduce youth unemployment. When the youths are involved in meaningful ventures, they will not be objects to be used for electoral violence by desperate politicians
What Must We Do as Citizens to Stop Electoral Violence?
The citizens are not left out, it is expedient and very important that citizens also put efforts to see or find measures and there are a few things that ordinary citizens can do to help reduce electoral violence.
First and foremost, youths should avoid being used by politicians as perpetrators of electoral violence.
Secondly, they can hold their elected officials accountable and demand that they take a strong stance against electoral violence.
Finally, they can report any cases of violence or intimidation to the authorities.
Electoral violence is a complex and multifaceted issue, with many different causes and consequences. While it is a challenging problem to address, it is not impossible to solve. Through a combination of education, accountability, and reform, we can work towards creating a society where elections are peaceful and free from violence. It will require the commitment and cooperation of individuals, communities, and governments, but it can be done. Together, we can build a brighter future for Nigeria.
– Omale Splendour Ojonuma,
300L student of Mass Communication, Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba, Kogi State.
