AUTONOMY AND ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE

ABSTRACT

This study examined the autonomy of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the impact of this on its performance in the conduct of general elections in Nigeria with special focus on the three consecutive presidential elections of 2011, 2015 and 2019. It investigated thke impact of security agencies on the conduct of free and credible elections by INEC, and the funding of the Commission in line with provisions of the constitution and the2010 Electoral Act as amended. It further identified the level of autonomy enjoyed by INEC in electioneering process. The study relied on qualitative survey research design. Primary data were collected through qualitative approach of in-depth interview of the research participants. The population of the study was 250 comprising INEC staff, leaders of major political parties, security agencies, scholars, and members of civil society organization. From that population key informants who were privy to the information needed for the research were selected and interviewed. Secondary sources of data were also employed for data collection. The information gathered were coded and thematically analyzed.