SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL PREDICTORS OF FRANCHISE DEVIANCE, E-VOTING AS A PANACEA TO GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA
Authors:
Omowunmi Joshua Olusegun
Abstract:
From one head of state to another, republic to republic, a larger percentage of Nigerian Citizens are of the opinion that the decapitating state of Nigerian economy is a consequence of poor leadership. The lackadaisical attitude of citizens and other socio-psychological factors like religion, and voting stress have contributed to Franchise deviance. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the socio-psychological factors responsible for franchise deviance and how electronic voting system would increase citizen’s turnout during elections and provide a lasting solution to the issue of poor leadership and challenge of governance in Nigeria. A descriptive and survey method was adopted for investigation. Through random sampling technique, 520 respondents, 338 males, 182 females, 312 Christians and 203 Muslims were sampled. Result reveals that E-voting will not bring a lasting solution to poor leadership. Also voting stress is one of the major causes of franchise deviance while religion has no effect whatsoever on franchise deviance. In all respondents felt that an amalgam of E-voting and manual voting should be employed for franchise deviance to be totally minimized.