VOTER TURNOUT AND DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION IN EDO STATE: A CASE STUDY OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION IN EGOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

ABSTRACT

This study explores the impact of voter turnout on democratic consolidation in Nigeria, using the 2023 general election in Egor Local Government, Edo state as a case study. Its main goals are to assess the effects of low voter turnout and election violence on democratic stability, as well as to analyze the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in influencing voter participation. The research questions focused on these aspects. Conducted through a survey research design, the study targeted registered voters in Ward 04 of Egor Local Government, which had a total of 176,846 registered voters as of the 2023 presidential election. Findings suggest that the 2023 election did not meet the credibility standards outlined by the Situation Room. Despite innovative reforms by INEC under the new Electoral Act 2022, challenges such as ineffective monitoring of political parties, limited access to polling units, accreditation and voting difficulties, and insufficient violence prevention persisted.