THE ELECTION PROCESS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTER TURNOUT

THE ELECTION PROCESS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTER TURNOUT

BY

Mu’azu Mohammed Yusif
Department of Political Science
Bayero University, Kano
Introduction
Perhaps the ideas of election and political parties are the most fundamental principles of democracy known to all Nigerians. This is because whenever democracy is to be given to us by the military, the first thing we hear is to form political parties, then to be followed by elections. Similarly, when the military decides to take-away their democracy, after making announcement, the following statement we hear is a Decree on "Constitution Revision", burning political parties and Elections, amending all the supporting provisions in the constitution on the rights to vote and be voted.
Thus, whenever there is going to be election in Nigeria, we should take voter turnout seriously. As the may be the only guarantee to defend our choice and the future of our Democracy.
The Context
I have no doubt that the motive/intention of the organisers (CITAD) of this programme is how to stop rigging of election and to turn the attitude of the people of Jigawa State from low voters turnout during elections.
Being a Paper Presented at a Workshop on Voter Turnout; Organised by CITAD in Dutse - Jigawa State on 28th February, 2007
This is not the first time the people of Kano and Jigawa States are being educated just to do these. Many decades ago, late Mallam Aminu Kano taught us to come out during elections to vote in order to choose the people who would govern us.
What we would be doing today is while I will be leading the discussion, we will join our experience and touch with reality of politics in Jigawa State to come out with programme/manual of education which will encourage voter turnout during the April 2007.
Elections: The Concept
Term covering the act and process of choosing representatives that govern us. In Nigeria elections cover offices of the president of the Federation, of National Assembly i.e. the Senate and House of Representatives; the Governors of States; and of State Assembly.
The constituency for election of the president of Nigeria is the whole of Nigeria. Section 132(5) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 stated that "Every person who is registered to vote at an election of a member of a legislative house shall be entitled to vote at an election to the office of President". Therefore, all registered voters of Jigawa State are entitled to come out and elect who to be the President of Nigeria.
As for National Assembly Section 71(a) states that the Independent National Electoral Commission shall "divide each state of the Federation into three senatorial districts for purposes of elections to the Senate". Accordingly Jigawa state has three senators in the National Assembly.
Regarding representation in the Federal House of Representatives, Jigawa State has five out of three hundred and sixty constituencies for the purposes of elections into that House.
On the other hand all registered voters of Jigawa State are responsible for who would be the Governor of the State. As well as State House of Assembly constituencies.
Conceptualising elections will not be completed without mention of political parties. These are associations of like-minded persons with programme and intention to capture power to implement their programmes. When there s election, political parties contest for various offices, indeed, election is a choice between political parties. In some countries the constitution allows for "Independent candidates", but in Nigeria inspite call for that in every constitution making, is always denied. The political system, through the constitution 1999 does not limit formation of political parties provided there is respect of section 222 of the constitution.
The Electoral Process/System
This is a set of rules which define and gives the conditions, procedures, and the institutions to regulate the votes of citizens in electing the president and their representatives in the National and State Assembly. Nigeria’s electoral system has one distinctive feature which for the purpose of this discussion is worth noting. That is that it is a majoritarian system in which the President, the Governor and the Legislators are elected by majority votes. This is distinct because in some other countries the electoral system is either of proportional or pluralist system of representation.
The Electoral Act 2006 has spelt out clearly the regulations which would govern elections in Nigeria, including the coming April 2007 polls. The Act contains everything such as the roles and conducts of political parties in campaigns, raise of funds and expenses, as well as what and what not to do or say during rallies and elections. Other features in the act are on procedures of election during election, including how to cast votes, what are electoral offences, the counting and announcing of the result and determination of election petitions by Election Tribunal which is to be established according to the provision of the electoral system as is in the Electoral Act. Then of course on the legal status, the establishment and the powers of the institution i.e. INEC which supervise, monitor and regulate the elections and the political parties which contest the election.
Another important feature of the electoral system as contained in part III of the Electoral Act is on "National Register of Voters and Voters’ Registration". I consider this more important because of what we are doing here i.e. training of trainers on the importance of voter turnout. Needless to say voter turnout is the most important factor in election and institutionalising democracy through election. This is particularly so in Nigeria where elections are rigged. I personally feel that, although elections may still be rigged even if there is full voter turnout, especially in an electronic voting system, but in a manual system, I think it is going to be very difficult.
As fieldworkers and trainers in this serious business you have to be mind full of sections 11, 13, 14, 19, and 20 of the Electoral Act because they would be great Education Instruments for ordinary voters in a predominantly rural community like Jigawa State.

Electoral Process and Democracy
A less ambiguous electoral system is a guarantee for fair elections and in turn for creation of a democratic society. As Peter Wanyande observes "The key to mass participation in democracy is the electoral process. Elections represent a way of making a choice that is fair to all-one that leaves each member of the electorate reasonable hope of having his alternative elected" (Peter Wanyande, 1987:77). It is also through the electoral process or system that individuals and groups observe the assurances that their conditions of life may improve as there will be a level-playing system which will allow them to choose their leaders and reject them another time if they do not fulfil their aspirations.
At another level it is correct to say that an electoral system, and what it contains would go along way to show that the people in power are committed to holding free and fair elections and respect of democracy as a political practice in the governance of the affairs of the people.
Study on voting procedures and behaviour of voters are two of the main subdivisions of the study of voting in Political Science. These are as old as the political history of Greek City-States and the Roman Empire, which got more relevance in the political history of Western Europe in the Eighteenth Century. In those years elections were healthy, free and fair, citizens came out willingly and enthusiastically to choose their representatives. However, later, especially n the 21st Century, and in every country including Nigeria, great Political and Economic Interests have emerged who must win elections by hook and crook, including by demobilising voters not to come out to vote so that they could rig the elections without difficulty.
Issues in Mobilising Voters to come out and Vote
What we must not fail to recognise is that the economic downturn which breeds poverty and insecurity among the people has demobised Nigerians politically. Secondly, there is massive corruption in Nigeria’s politics. You will elect somebody who cannot afford three meals a day just after six months h would come back to you raising his head not for what he has done to his constituency but for the personal cars and money he came with. Thirdly, voters are aware that politics is not for national promotion but for progress of families and close associates.
Yes! There are these problems but we are the only ones that can change them, even if is for the future of our children only. Every human progress you see or hear, the people made it. Nobody will bring change for us.
We must bring the change by our selves, by our own efforts. That is why the organisers of this forum came to educate you on the tasks before you. International Organisations tried to link Peoples Democratic Progress with their votes and their rights to vote. This is clearly stated in the United Nations UDHR (Article 21) and in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Right (Article 25)
In view of the need to encourage voter turnout I can point long and short term strategic issues in the political system which mobilizers are to take into consideration in educating the voters.
The long-term issues are such that cannot be achieved before the 2007 elections but can begin to be thought out right from now. These include:
The political parties in Nigeria are anything but democratic. They are more like ‘cartels’ conducting political business to make profit. That is why they do not give much importance to membership, party structures, manifesto and programmes. They just wait for elections to bring out money to pay for votes and to local politicians and others who can help them to rig elections. This problem could be addressed at many levels, most importantly by pressures from below.
Politics in Nigeria is a profession. Thus, it is an occupation. It is more like a closed system which new entries are difficult to get a place without a patron. Therefore, every phase of elections in Nigeria is dominated by the same politicians. This structure of the political process has to be altered in order to empower the independence of voters.
One of the most ugly practices of Nigerian’s politics which I observed over the years in Jigawa state is the involvement of children in political rallies and campaigns. I can generalized in confidence that 70% of the crowd in every rally (including when it is holding beyond mid-night) are children between the ages of 6-15 years. These are not voters. Where are the voters? I think this has to be regulated legally by the National Assembly by amendment of the Electoral Act.
At the moment of preparation for April 2007 elections there are short-term factors for immediate attention of campaigners for voter turnout in the coming General Elections. These are:
In order to have the right to vote citizens of Nigeria must register and be given registration cards confirming him/her to vote during elections. May be because of the procedure of registration, lack of preparedness by the INEC, many Nigerians refused to go for registration. The Electoral Act has provided for how to go and register even after Registration is closed.
Anybody who cares about the last registration exercise would hear how some people registered more than once. The Electoral Act in section 13 (2 and 3) has disallowed this with penalty. In anyway, the campaigners for voter turnout are to educate and encourage all registered voters to come out and vote instead of seeing, cheering and talking of those voting more than once.
We must reject the idea that "collect the money and refuse to vote" or just vote for your choice. Those who give money during elections, whether you give them your votes or not they don’t care as they will rigg the elections and since you have mortgaged your conscience, rights and democracy by taking the money you would have nothing to say except to pull back and lament what happened.
As Jiawa state is a predominantly rural area I think the campaigners for voter turnout must be thinking of mobilization and education of the electorates through community level activities. Such as theatrics performances, self-help community projects, and many other community mobilisational and educational programmes, can be thought out.
The last issue is only raised by posing a question. That is how could we deal with specific problems of women? Such a very important target for any mobiliser for voter turnout.
Conclusion
In my conclusion I will like to draw the attention of voters that large voter turnout is the only guarantee that your representatives and political parties will not treat you as insignificant in running of Governmental affairs. Otherwise who are we who do not care about the political process. Therefore, we will see them stealing every kobo of the Government bringing to their houses.
References
Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999). Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.
Federal Republic of Nigeria (2006). Electoral Act 2006.
Lan Brownlie (1971). Basic Documents on Human Rights. Oxford University Press, London
Peter Wanyonde (1987). "Democracy and the one party state! The African experience". In W.O. Oyugi and A. Gitanga (eds.). Democratic theory and practice in Africa. Nairobi. Heinemann Kenya.