ELECTION MANAGEMENT AND THE CHALLENGE OF ELECTORAL CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA’S 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS
Authors:
Ayiti, Samuel Babatola and Mike Omilusi
Abstract:
The conduct of free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria has always been problematic due largely to the challenges of corruption. Corruption, no doubt, is a cankerworm that has permeated Nigeria’s national life. One of the elements of election is its periodicity. In fact, this is one of the foundations upon which good governance is erected. It is also the hallmark of democracy which guarantees citizens’ effective participation in the political process. A truly independent, non-partisan and incorruptible electoral management body is synonymous with credible elections. However, the impartiality and integrity of the various electoral commissions in Nigeria over the years have been called to question due to the alleged romance of the electoral bodies with the ruling party with a view to conferring undue advantage on it during elections. To achieve this, some staff of the electoral bodies is compromised by the ruling party officials by offering them bribes to do their bidding. Such an attitude has major implications on the electoral process and ultimately on good governance as in most cases the legitimacy of such public officers produced through this method is always called to question. The objective of the study is to assess the causes and impacts of electoral corruption on Nigeria’s electoral system. The paper adopts descriptive and historical approaches. The paper argues that the endemic corruption in every facet of the Nigerian life is a major challenge to the credibility of electoral commission; undermines its integrity and its service delivery functions. It is the contention of this paper that since the election is the springboard of good governance, those managing the process must be honest and credible and there is the need to reorientate them accordingly. Efforts must be geared towards reducing the level of poverty in the country to sanitize the electoral system against corruption.