ABSTRACT

This  project  is aimed at  knowing  the role  of  Electoral  commission  in  enchasing  development  of   democracy in   Nigeria (A case  study  Imo State  Independent  electoral  commission  Owerri).This project  is  my modest  Contribution  to the  already  existing  knowledge about  the  role of Electoral Commission  in  Enchasing  Development  of  democracy  in  Nigeria. The  project  is  divided  into five  chapters  for  the  purpose  of  effective  research  work chapter  one  consist  of the  introduction, statement  of  problem, Objectives of the study , significance  of the  study  and  limitation  of  study and  definition  of  terms. Chapter two  outlines  review  of  related  literature and  reference  the Oretical  frame  work /hypothesis. Chapter three consist  of  research  design  and  methodology, Area  of  study, population, source  of data and  the  data  used  in writhing this  project  is a  secondary  data and  was  generated  through questionnaires, the  total  number  administered is one  hundred and  twenty questionnaires  twelve(12) were  wrongly, filled, twenty eight (80) were returned. Chapter  four  consist  of  the  data  presentation  and  analysis   and  the   statistical method  used is  Chi-square, the research  findings  was  discovered that responses from 4:1  were of  the opinion that  there  is need  for  electoral process for  the  survival of democracy in Nigeria. While chapter  five  consist   of the  summary, conclusion, Bibliography, Recommendations  which  stages that  there  is  need  for  electoral process  for  the   survival  of democracy  and  in Nigeria  research  questionnaire  and  questionnaire  format instructor.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0         BACKGROUND  OF  STUDY

In every democratic  system, the electorates  elect those   who will  represent  their interest  at the  government  level  and  chart the course  for  their  socio-economic development.

         Election  are therefore used as vital instrument  to elect those who would  be  in  authority  and champion the course and  welfare  of the citizenry as well as  promoting peace and stability  in the  state.

In Nigeria, the independent national electoral commission (INEC) was set up in 1998 major general Abdusalam Abubaka who succeeded the them  head  of state   major general Sani Abuacha  who  died mysteriously  prior  to Abuchas exit, he had in place  an election  that  will usher un the  democratically elected  government  in 1st October 1998.

         However, after his death, the  Abubaka’s regime cognizance of the role  of  electoral  commission dissolved  the NECON and set-up –the  independent  National Election commission  (INEC) charge  to organize and  ensure  an effective election and smooth  transition  of power military  government respectably  thus , to ensure  holistic conduct of the  elections, state  independent electoral  commissions were  set  upon  or  establish  in all the emergence  of  Imo State Independent Electoral Commission  (IMOSIEC) which  had the same statutory  function  as that  of  INEC  to ensure a  peaceful, free  and  fair  conduct  of  both  state, local   government  and  counsel election in  Imo State.

         Therefore, for a deeper  and  all an  compassing  knowledge of the role of electoral, electoral commission in enhancing the development of democracy in Nigeria, IMSIEC was considered as a case study in view of the fact that it constitutes an integral part of independent national electoral commission.

       However the  staff  of IMSEC, who were  one  hundred and twenty (120) and the  general  public who  were  one fifty two (52) in number  through random selection constitution the population  for this research exercise.

1.1          STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

There had been clear ion calls from people in Nigeria on the haphazard manner and pattern  in which electoral  commission 

handled elections in the past result often   leads to  corruption  of violence and subsequent  cost of valuable life’s and property.

           In addition, the problems of electoral mal-practical,  rigging, ballot box and  paper  hijack  among  the  rank  and file  of the assumed independence  electoral   commission officials, which remorsefully  in must  case, erupt crises there by  destabilizing  the policy. Further more, the issue  of  late arrive of and  in adequate  electoral  materials  in   most polling   centre as well as inaccurate voters list     which  sometimes  disfranchise  eligible   registered  electorates from  exercising  their  civil  responsibilities. Most importantly non- neutrality of the electoral commission constitutes  remorse fully  another  major  problem.  It is uncontestable   that the various  electoral commission  we have  in the past  have   in way or the  other  being unduly influence by some  political stalwarts in declaring a falsified  result in favor  of candidates  who would  have lost  the election. Additionally, it commission  knowledge  that he who pays  the piper, dictate  the time, therefore, there  is  every possibilities that induces  influence  by the ruling  party will definitely  affect the  statutory performance of the independence electoral   commission.

1.2 OBJECTIVE OF STUDY.

      Aware of the fact that the   peace and stability   of a given polity cannot be handled with kid glove approach, the need to involved an effective and efficient functional machinery of transition of power from one democratically elected government to another becomes unquestionable imperative. In the light of the above this research seeks to pursue the following objective.

(1)      Assess the performance of the electoral commission  in Nigeriaespecially, the independent national electoral commission (INEC)

(2)      To examine the role, functions and activities of the electoral commission in and stability of the nation.

(3)      To analyze the problems, hindrances obstacle and lapses of the electoral commission.

(4)      To examine the feature of free and fair election in Nigeria.

(5)      To identify the problems military against the conduct of free and fair elections in Nigeria using Imo State independent electoral commission as a case study.

1.3             SCOPE OF THE STUDY IN LIMITATION

This research work was limited to Imo state alone the dimension of this study will not exceed the use of questionnaires and personal interviews through request for relevant materials and available document from the chainman the researcher. However, amidst these constraints, the researcher was able to make progress with the available resource at hand given the limited time frame.

1.4             SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The significance of study cannot be over emphasized. This researcher work in therefore significant in the following areas.

(1)      It is significant to the following areas. Federation of Nigeria as some of them will be informed by its revelation.

The negative role some of them play in securing power.

(2)      It will serve as an eye-opener to the electorates who will be exposed to some vital issues beyond their imagination.

(3)      It will also be significant to the politicians who allow their selfish interest to come to bear on the collective interest of the people in Nigeria

(4)      It will serve as a moral boaster to the official of the independent national and state electoral commission on the vital role that play in enhancing democracy in Nigeria.

(5)      It is significant for students who would to research further on the course under discussion.

(6)      It will equally expose the research on some vital issue affecting the stability of the country.

1.5             THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

It is understandable of the fact that the ways election are organized for leaders to emerge as the ensure forms of politics. Therefore, this research work is backed up by the Car/Max theory and the  western liberal theory the Marxist concept of polities was concerned with society. Individual and the economy. It was based on production reproduction and sustenance of the material existence of any society.

Therefore, the Marxist sees politics as a struggle or contest for the control of the economic and social institution, the state, the out come of this consists in the division of society into two antagonistic class the bourgeoisies and proletariat.

       In he another development, the western liberal theory conceives politics as all those human activities that are directed towards and indeed reflected in the process of acquiring using and maintaining governmental power. Max webs is one of the profounder of this theory  from the above theorist, it is pertinent to point out that the way people perceive power determines their role in influencing the electoral process just to secure power.

1.6             STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS

The following hypothesis were formulated  by the researcher to enable him verify the validity of his claim on the issue on ground.

Note Ho: Represents null hypothesis

         Hi: Represent alternative hypothesis stated below are the hypothesis formulated by the researcher.

Hypothesis i

H0: The electoral process as applied in Nigeria do not significantly political interest of the electorates.

Hi: The electoral processes as applied in Nigeria significantly promote. Political interest of the electorates.

Hypothesis ii

H0: The electoral process as applied in Nigeria do not significantly encourage the activities of ethnic militias.

Hi: Electoral processes as applied in Nigeria significantly promote the activities of the ethnic militias.

Hypothesis iii

H0: The electoral processes as applied in Nigeria do not significantly enhance nation building.

Hi: The electoral processes in Nigeria significantly enhance nation building.

1.7             OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

(1)              INEC: Independent national electoral commission.

(2)              IMSIEC: Imo State Independent electoral commission.

(3)              ELECTORATE: The people in a country who have the right do vote.

(4)              ELECTION: the process of choosing a person or group of person for leadership position.

(5)              VOTE: choice made by a participant in a shared decision.

(6)              Democracy: A system of government whereby the people elect those who are to represent at both the federal, State. Local government level.

(7)              DEVELOPMENT: The gradual improvement of the and socio-economic condition of a given society.

(8)              FRANCHISE: Right to vote or right of an individual to vote candidates.

(9)              POLITICS: The organization and administration of the state.

(10)          POLITICIANS: people who play politics.

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