IMPACTS OF ELECTORAL VIOLENCE ON ELECTORAL SECURITY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Election-related violence and unstable procedures have plagued Nigerian politics throughout the years. Negative effects stemming from these problems include poor economic development, low living standards, voter apathy, property and life loss, and stagnant political advancement. The frequency and effects of violent elections in Nigerian politics are examined in this article. The main goal is to address the reasons why, ever since Nigeria gained its independence, electoral violence has regularly impacted almost all of its municipal, state, and federal elections. The theoretical framework of this qualitative study is based on elite theory, and it uses primary and secondary data sources, such as a questionnaire that was given to different respondents to get their opinions on the causes and effects of election violence. Poverty, unemployment, the high financial stakes of elected office, poor governance, and a lack of proper security infrastructure are some of the main causes of election violence in Nigeria. The results show that violent elections deter voters and politicians from taking part, which hinders peaceful cooperation, good government, and political advancement. The study suggests actions to address this problem, including improving political literacy, increasing public awareness, putting government programs into place to help citizens, and giving jobless youth employment possibilities.