ELECTORAL VIOLENCE AND VOTERS DISENFRANCHISEMENT IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study assesses the electoral violence and voters disenfranchisement in Nigeria (a study of 2023 general elections in Nigeria). Specifically, the study investigated the level of disenfranchisement of voters prevalent in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, the causes of voter’s disenfranchisement in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, the effect of voter’s disenfranchisement in 2023 general elections Nigeria and made recommendations that will be useful for improving electoral process in subsequent elections. The study employed the survey descriptive research design. A total of 141 responses were validated from the survey. The study adopted the theory of institutional legitimacy. From the responses obtained and analysed, the findings reveals that the level of disenfranchisement of voters prevalent in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria is high. The study recommends that the armed forces and other members of the security personnel should be made to cast their votes three days before the general elections, and the tallying will be done on the day of the election. This will afford them the opportunity to exercise their franchise as bona-fide citizens of Nigeria and also to provide robust security when other registered voters file out to cast their ballots three days later.