Corruption and Its Effects on Electoral Process in Nigeria

Abstract of Corruption and Its Effects on Electoral Process in Nigeria

This study examined corruption and its effects on electoral process in Nigeria.

The study revealed that; corruption in the electoral process succeeded in obliterating the integrity of security agency in Nigeria as Police sector that is supposed to provide security of lives and properties are found on a lot of occasions to be co-conspirator in rigging of elections and other dubious acts that rendered electoral process faulty; electoral corruption has led to stealing of ballot boxes, alteration of results, underage and multiple voting, intimidation of voters and harassment of opposition, manipulation and delay of election tribunal verdicts and blockage of justice in all segments of the society; Corruption has undermined democracy and good governance by flouting or even subverting formal processes, and as a result, has led to the failure to ensure accountability of the ruler to the ruled as well as the inability of the state to make officials accountable for their actions and bring corrupt officers to justice.

The study concluded that; electoral corruption has impacted negatively on decision making in government, mainly because the government that emerges from falsified electoral process spends better part of its term in office to fight legal battles with opposition parties at election tribunals. The study further recommended that; the country’s electoral processes should be overhauled in order to inculcate credibility in it; it is important the government launch national reorientation programmes; there should be increase awareness on the economic, political, social and legal cost of corruption and corrupt practices on individual and the society at large; the anti-corruption bodies such as the EFCC and ICPC should be involved in electoral process in order to screen candidates contesting for a public post so as to ensure the candidate’s integrity and virtuousness (incorruptibility); the government should create adequate job opportunities for the unemployed youths in order to keep them engaged; strict punishment should be applied to political thugs, terrorist, kidnappers and bandits caught.