INEC AND CHALLENGES OF MONITORING POLITICAL PARTY CAMPAIGNS AND CONDUCTING ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF INEC, ABUJA)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. 1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Elections are very central to the principle and practice of democracy anywhere in the world and the management of elections by any election management body is significant to the electoral process and by implication, the consolidation of democracy in any country. The electoral process involves competition and it creates an avenue for competitive party politics which Schumpeter (1975) opines, entails competition among the different political parties each competing for the votes of the electorate, which is expressed through the ballot box. For Odoziobodo (2013), if the electoral process involves competition, the implication is that there must be an umpire. As in the game of football, there is a referee who conducts the match according to laid down rules and regulations; he manages the game, ensures that all players obey the rules of the game; the referee or umpire also determines the results of the contest. A mistake or indiscretion on his or her part can ruin the contest and bring the game to disrepute. The same thing is applicable to an election. In every democracy, there is always set up by law an election management institution which acts as an umpire in the electoral contest and whose mandate is always and as ever, in any circumstance or country to conduct free, fair and credible election whose outcome will be acceptable to all parties concerned. Regular conduct of elections is not only “central to democratization”, but also “contributes to the maturation of nascent democratic cultures” (Bratton, 2009). For Lindberg avers, “an uninterrupted series of competitive elections imbues society with certain democratic qualities- namely participation, competition and legitimacy” (Lindberg, 2006b). Unfortunately, “In Nigeria, however, elections have been one of the main problems of the democratic process” (Omotola, 2010). The conduct of free and fair elections has always been a problem which continues to threaten the very survival of the country and questions the relevance of democracy (Agbu, 2016). Indeed, “the problems associated with elections have direct impact on the performance of democratic institutions” (Wapmuk, 2016). The Nigerian Government acknowledges that, “Controversies over highly rigged elections have been the forerunner to political violence and instability in Nigeria” (FGN, 2014b). Corroborating the above, Jega (the former Chairman of Nigeria’s Election Management Body- Independent National Electoral Commission {INEC}) asserts: A series of badly conducted elections could create perpetual political instability and easily reverse the gains of democratization... it can be argued that the consequences of badly conducted elections and poorly managed electoral processes are major contributing factors to military interregnum in Nigeria’s political history (Jega, 2015).

1. 1. STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Political parties are organizations with individuals as members and employees, and are expected to have disparate cultures. Nigerian political parties are often criticized for their lack of internal democracy largely because they are dominated by few power elites otherwise call godfathers or godmothers who decide who gets what, selects candidates for elections, direct the planning and policy framework to suit their personal interests.Complaints arising from the party campaigns and primaries showed several parties failed to open up spaces for eligible members to vie for positions. There have been legislative efforts to improve Nigerian political parties?. For example, the Electoral Act mandated INEC to monitor political parties?campaigns and ensure that they conduct their activities in a democratic manner.

1.3 AIMS OF THE STUDY

The major purpose of this study is to examineINEC and challenges of monitoring political party campaigns and conducting elections in Nigeria. Other general objectives of the study are:

1. To examine the political laws and electoral reforms available to political parties in Nigeria.
2. To examine the role of INEC in monitoring political party campaigns and conducting elections in Nigeria.
3. To examine the impact of INEC monitoring campaigns and conducting election on free and credible elections in Nigeria.
4. To examine the challenges faced by INEC in monitoring political party campaigns and conducting elections in Nigeria.
5. To examine the relationship between monitoring of campaigns and conducting of election.
6. To proffer solutions to the challenges INEC faced in monitoring party campaigns and conducting elections.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the political laws and electoral reforms available to political parties in Nigeria?
2. What are the roles of INEC in monitoring political party campaigns and conducting elections in Nigeria?
3. What is the impact of INEC monitoring campaigns and conducting election on free and credible elections in Nigeria?
4. What are the challenges faced by INEC in monitoring political party campaigns and conducting elections in Nigeria?
5. What is the relationship between monitoring of campaigns and conducting of election?
6. What are the solutions to the challenges INEC faced in monitoring party campaigns and conducting elections?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0: Monitoring of political party campaign and conducting elections in Nigeria does not have significant challenges.

H1: Monitoring of political party campaign and conducting elections in Nigeria have significant challenges.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is necessitated by the urge and the need for the research, reader and organizations in general to understand the role of INEC and challenges of monitoring political party campaign and conducting elections in Nigeria.

The following are the significance of study to the researcher:

1.      To serve as a reference materials for students who will wish to conduct similar studies on this topic.

2.      To serve as guide to corporate individuals, organization in furtherance to their research on the subject matter.

1.7    SCOPE OF THE STUDY 

The study is based on INEC and challenges of monitoring political party campaigns and conducting elections in Nigeria, a case study of INEC, Abuja

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

POLITICAL PARTY: This is an organization of people which seeks to achieve goals common to its members through the acquisition and exercise of political power.

ELECTION: An election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office.

POLITICAL CAMPAIGN: This is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making process within a specific group. In democracies, political campaigns often refer to electoral campaigns, wherein representatives are chosen or referendums are decided.