Inconclusive Elections and The Integrity of the Electoral Process in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

Abstract

It is imperative to underscore the fact that the recurring issue of inconclusive elections is becoming frequent and ubiquitous in the conduct of elections in Nigeria and a formidable challenge in Nigeria’s electoral system. This therefore makes this subject particularly fertile for exploration. The significance of the study is exemplified in the fact that the administration of elections remains a vital component of democracy and public trust, as the efficacy and efficiency of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) is often a reflection of how well organised (or not) the electoral process has become over the years. Integrity of the electoral process, in many African States, is a major concern for both international and domestic election observers. Therefore, this study on inconclusive elections will be of immense benefit to policy makers, civil society organisations and other critical stakeholders in the electoral process. This study relied largely on the secondary sources of data collection. These include textbooks, articles, newspapers and other published and unpublished materials such as electoral laws, electoral precedence as well as relevant interviews where absolutely necessary. It involves the use of descriptive, prose and narrative methods in describing scenarios and events through the prism of scientific observation. The study demonstrates that inconclusive election leads to voter apathy and increases the financial burden on INEC. Another discovery is that without the supplementary elections, elections could have been won and lost at the first ballot. The margin of votes had been applied differently by INEC to similar electoral situations in the country and it is an aberration. This study recommended amongst other things that the idea of inconclusive election based on margin of votes should be jettisoned. It contradicts the electoral system that is operational in the country which is First –Past- The- Post (FPTP), predicated on simple majority and geographical spread.