Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Promotion of Democracy in Nigeria: The Study of 2023 Presidential Election

Abstract

This paper analyzes democracy and 2023 Presidential election in Nigeria considering the wider set of factors that shaped the organization and the outcome. Elections are critical component to the survival of democratic system, just like a human being would find it impossible to exist without the heart. This implies that an election is the life-wire of democracy. In Nigeria, presidential elections are held every four years in order to select a President and Members of the National Assembly and State-level Assemblies. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the agency that is saddled with the responsibility of the conduct of elections and other related matters. It is worthy to note that an enduring electoral system must be able to enlist the trust and confidence of the masses by ensuring that the number of votes cast in an election reflects the popularity and acceptance of the political parties and the candidates in such an election. However, there are innumerable disputes of carrying out plausible election by the electoral body. It must be clearly stated that ballot snatching, vote buying, bribery, corruption, violation of electoral rules, rigging, manipulation of results for the purposes of winning elections always occur and the 2023 Presidential Election was not an exception. The main objective of this study is to examine the Independent National Electoral Commission and the promotion of democracy in Nigeria with reference to the 2023 Presidential Election. The study adopted the documentary methods of data collection and utilizes secondary sources; and relays on content analysis as its method of data analysis. To achieve this, the authors sourced for information from published textbooks, magazines, journal articles, official documents from the Yiaga Africa, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) West Africa, Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), 2022 Electoral Act, INEC guidelines, online materials and other relevant publications. The study found out that the activities of Nigeria’s political elites ranging from greed for power, vote buying and non adherence to Electoral laws have undermined the country’s chances for democratic progress. The study therefore recommends among other things that there is urgent need to address the problem of inequality and poverty in the country, importantly; various political institutions should be strengthened to act as agent of change. The political players have an obligation to abide by the laws and regulations that govern politics. Those who broke the nation's election regulations ought to face harsh penalties. In order to reassure voters that their votes will count and that they will be willing to participate, the electoral administrators should be men and women with a track record of integrity.