Back to: Jss2 Civic Education (NVE)

Introduction

Elections are a vital component of democracy as they provide citizens with the opportunity to choose their leaders and shape the direction of their country. In any democratic system, voters play a crucial role in determining the outcome of elections. Therefore, it is essential for voters to understand their responsibilities in the electoral process and how their actions can impact the outcome of an election.

One of the primary responsibilities of voters is to exercise their right to vote. By casting their ballot, voters have the power to choose their representatives, determine public policies, and hold elected officials accountable. However, with this power comes the responsibility to make informed decisions based on a thorough understanding of the candidates and issues at stake.

Voters must also ensure that they are registered to vote and that their voter registration information is up-to-date. This includes providing accurate personal information, such as their name, address, and date of birth, as well as ensuring that they meet any eligibility requirements, such as citizenship or residency.

Voters have a responsibility to participate in the democratic process beyond just casting their ballot. This includes staying informed about current events and issues, engaging in constructive dialogue with fellow citizens, and holding elected officials accountable through peaceful protest or petitioning.

Concept of Election

The concept of election refers to the process of choosing a representative or a leader through a voting system. Elections are a vital part of democratic systems and serve as a way for people to have a say in the way their government is run.

Elections can take many forms, from local elections for city councils or school boards to national elections for presidents or members of parliament. Typically, voters cast their ballot in a secret ballot, either in person at polling stations or through mail-in ballots.

The process of elections involves various stages, such as voter registration, campaigning, voting, counting, and announcing results. Candidates usually campaign by presenting their platforms and policies, participating in debates, and connecting with voters through various media channels.

Elections play a critical role in ensuring a fair and transparent democratic process. They provide citizens with an opportunity to participate in the decision-making process and hold their elected officials accountable. They also help to prevent abuses of power, corruption, and other undemocratic practices by ensuring that those in power are chosen by the people they serve.

Concept of A Voter 

A voter is a person who is eligible to participate in the electoral process and has the right to cast their vote for a candidate or a particular issue. Voting is a fundamental right of citizens in a democratic society, and it plays a crucial role in shaping the government and its policies.

The role of a voter involves being informed and knowledgeable about the candidates and issues at stake in the election. A voter must research, analyze and compare the different candidates and their positions on various issues before deciding on whom to vote for.

Additionally, a voter should participate in the electoral process by registering to vote, staying updated with the voting deadlines, and casting their ballot either in person or through mail-in or early voting.

Types of Elections

The following are the many kinds of elections:

Direct Election

A direct election is a type of election in which the people directly elect their representatives or leaders. In Nigeria, direct election is used for the election of the President, the Vice-President, and members of the National Assembly. Voters are required to cast their votes for the candidate of their choice, and the candidate with the highest number of votes is declared the winner.

Types of Direct Election

1. Presidential Direct Election: This is a direct election held to elect the president of Nigeria. It involves every eligible voter directly casting their vote for the presidential candidate of their choice.
2. Gubernatorial Direct Election: This is a direct election held to elect the governor of each state in Nigeria. It involves every eligible voter directly casting their vote for the gubernatorial candidate of their choice.
3. Senatorial Direct Election: This is a direct election held to elect senators who will represent their respective senatorial districts in the Nigerian Senate.
4. House of Representatives Direct Election: This is a direct election held to elect representatives who will represent their respective constituencies in the Nigerian House of Representatives.
5. Local Government Direct Election: This is a direct election held to elect local government officials who will represent their respective local government areas.

Advantages of Direct Election

1. Democratic Representation: Direct elections in Nigeria enable citizens to elect their leaders, giving them the opportunity to exercise their democratic rights and participate in decision-making.
2. Transparency: The process of direct election in Nigeria is transparent, and voters can see the results of their votes without any external interference or manipulation.
3. Accountability: Direct election creates a sense of accountability among elected officials, as they are directly answerable to the people who elected them.
4. Reduced Electoral Fraud: Direct election reduces the potential for electoral fraud, such as ballot stuffing, vote buying, and rigging, as it is difficult to manipulate the election results in a transparent process.
5. Better Political Stability: Direct election ensures political stability, as the elected officials have a mandate from the people and are less likely to be involved in political instability.
6. Increased Participation: Direct election encourages citizen participation in the political process and increases civic engagement.
7. Improved Governance: Direct election ensures that leaders who are chosen have a clear understanding of the problems and challenges facing the country, which leads to improved governance.
8. Legitimacy: Direct elections provide legitimacy to the elected government, as they have been chosen by the people through a transparent and fair process.
9. Promotion of Diversity: Direct election promotes diversity in leadership, as people from different backgrounds and ethnicities have the opportunity to participate and get elected.
10. Progress and Development: Direct election can lead to progress and development, as elected officials are more accountable, responsive, and transparent, which helps to create an environment that is conducive to economic growth and development.

Indirect Elections

Indirect Election: Indirect election is a type of election in which the people do not directly elect their representatives or leaders. Instead, the people elect representatives or delegates who then elect the leaders. In Nigeria, the indirect election is used for the election of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, and members of the State Houses of Assembly. The people elect delegates who then vote for the candidates. The candidate with the highest number of votes is declared the winner. 

Types of Indirect Election

1. Party Primaries: This is a process where political parties nominate candidates for an election. The party members elect the candidates through a primary election process. The selected candidates then represent the party in the general election.
2. Local Government Election: This type of election involves the selection of local government officials by members of the local government council. The council members vote to elect the officials who will lead the local government.
3. State Electoral College: This is a process used to elect the governor and deputy governor of a state. The members of the state assembly and local government council vote to elect the governor and deputy governor.
4. National Electoral College: This is the process of electing the President and Vice President of Nigeria. Members of the national assembly and state assemblies, as well as delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, vote to elect the President and Vice President.
5. Appointment: This type of indirect election involves the selection of individuals by a designated authority. For example, the President of Nigeria may appoint individuals to serve in different government positions, such as ministers, ambassadors, and heads of government agencies.

Advantages of Indirect Election

1. Encourages political participation: Indirect elections encourage political participation among citizens who may not be interested in running for office themselves. It allows them to participate in the electoral process through the selection of their preferred candidates.
2. Reduces the cost of elections: Indirect elections reduce the cost of organizing elections since fewer resources are needed for the selection process than for a direct election. These cost savings can be used to improve other aspects of the country.
3. Enables informed decision-making: Indirect elections allow for a more informed decision-making process by limiting the number of candidates and requiring candidates to meet specific criteria to be eligible for selection. This can result in a better quality of elected representatives who can better serve their constituents.
4. Reduces the potential for violence: Indirect elections can reduce the potential for violence since the selection process is more controlled and less open to manipulation. It also limits the possibility of voter intimidation.
5. Allows for diversity: Indirect elections can encourage diversity in political representation by allowing different segments of society to participate in the selection process. This can result in a more inclusive political system that better represents the interests of all citizens.

Advantages of The Electoral College

1. Encourages the representation of smaller states: In countries with a large population, the Electoral College helps to balance out the representation of smaller states. By giving each state a certain number of electors, regardless of its population, the Electoral College ensures that the smaller states are not overlooked.
2. Promotes stability: Because the Electoral College requires a candidate to win a majority of the electoral votes, it promotes stability by requiring a candidate to have broad support across the country.
3. Focuses campaigns on key battleground states: Since candidates need to win a certain number of electoral votes to win the presidency, they are forced to focus their campaigns on key battleground states. This ensures that candidates pay attention to a broad range of issues that affect voters across the country.
4. Provides a clear winner: Unlike other systems, such as a popular vote, the Electoral College ensures that there is a clear winner of the election. This helps to prevent disputes over the validity of the election results.
5. Protects against voter fraud: Because the Electoral College system is decentralized, it is less susceptible to voter fraud. This is because fraud would need to occur in multiple states in order to have an impact on the election results.