WEEK: ONE
CONCEPT OF ELECTION, VOTERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Concept of election
2. Meaning of voters and voting
3. Types of election
4. Voting process
5. Qualification for election
6. Responsibilities of voters
CONCEPT OF ELECTION
An election can be defined as an act or process of voting
for a candidate to represent the people of a country in the
various arms of government. It also means that a process
citizens of a country make political choices by voting for
competing candidates or parties. In essence, the concept
of election implies that the voters have alternatives and
can choose among a number of proposals designed to
settle an issue of public concerns.
CONCEPT OF A VOTER
A voter is a person who is eligible to participate in voting.
Voters are referred to as the electorates. Voting, on the
other hand, is a process of expressing one’s choice of a
candidate in an election.
Voting is the civic responsibility of a citizen in an
election. Voting is a formal expression of opinion or will
by people to choose their leader or representatives. There
are different forms of voting. These include open voting.
Secret voting, voting by proxy, plural voting.
Elections demonstrate that political power is derived from
the people that politicians must account for their actions.
It is important that the whole electoral process is carried
out in a way satisfactory to a large extent to all concerned.
TYPES OF ELECTIONS
1. Direct Election: This is the process by which voters
vote directly to elect their representatives for public
office.
ADVANTAGES OF DIRECT ELECTION
i. It is highly democratic.
ii. It is simple to practice.
iii. It promotes democracy.
iv. It engenders equality of voters.
v.
2. Indirect Elections: This is a system whereby eligible
voters select representatives who would make the
final selection of leaders on their behalf. This
involves the use of Electoral College.
ADVANTAGES OF INDIRECT ELECTION
i. It is very cheap.
ii. It reduces electoral malpractice.
iii. It enhances quality of Law made.
iv. It reduces political violence.
3. Electoral College: This is a body of elected
representatives who assist in electing other political
or public officers.
ADVANTAGES OF ELECTORAL COLLEGE
i. It is less expensive.
ii. It produces winners easily.
iii. It makes voting very short and easy.
4. By-Election: This is an election that is conducted to
fill a vacant elective post due to recall, resignation or
death of the individual holding a given political
Office.
5. Run-Off Election: This is an election that is re-
conducted due to disqualification or malpractice or
annulment of the initial polls or election. It is usually
ordered by election tribunal or court.
6. Referendum: This is a “yes” or “no” vote of the
people particularly on law in a given political system. It
helps the government in knowing the opinion of people
about an important issue of national interest or concern.
7. Primary Election: This refers to an election
conducted within the party to elect the flag-bearer of the
party during the general elections.
THE BASIC QUALIFICATION FOR ELECTION
1. Citizenship: only Nigeria citizens are allowed to vote
and be voted for
2. Residence : the voter must have lived in the area for a
given period of time before the election
3. Registration: only those who have registered to vote
in an election are allowed to vote
4. Sanity: all citizen qualified to vote must have sound
mind e.g. lunatics or mad people are not allowed to
vote.
5. Age: a citizen is qualified to vote if he is up to the
voting age. The age 18 years.
6. Physical presence: all qualified voters are expected to
be physically present at the voting venue.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A VOTERS
1. To register for election
2. He/she must conduct himself/herself orderly and
peaceful manner,
3. He must obey electoral laws and report cases of
electoral malpractices.
4. He must not sell his vote but vote wisely
5. He must not take bribe
6. He has the right to vote for a leader of his choice.
7. He has the right to monitor his vote and ensure that
his vote counts.
CLASS WORK
1. An election re-conducted due to disqualification or
malpractice, annulment of the initial poll or election is
called______ election. (A) primary (B) secondary (C)
run-off (D) by-election
2. A person eligible to vote in an election is called____
(A) vote caster (B) vote (C) voter (D) electioneer
3. Which of these is regarded as “Yes” or “No” vote?
(A) Run-off election (B) Referendum (C) primary (D)
By-election
4. The process by which voters vote directly to elect
their representatives for public office is called____
election. (A) direct (B) indirect (C) concept (d)
Digital
5. Elections are integral part of democracy? (A) Yes (B)
No (C) Not at all (D) Probably
