ELECTORAL VIOLENCE AND DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION IN NIGERIA: REFLECTIONS ON THE 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS

Lambert Chidi Nwachukwu

Abstract


The holding of periodic elections is one of the most important mechanisms for the realization of the objectives of democracy. Elections are therefore, closely tied to the growth and development of democratic political order. In Nigeria however, ensuring free and fair elections has historically been a major challenge. One factor or problem that has always stood in the way of conducting free and fair elections in Nigeria is electoral violence. Indeed, electoral violence represents one of the greatest challenges of many democratizing societies. This paper therefore, examines electoral violence in the 2015 general elections and its implications for democratic consolidation in Nigeria. The paper adopts the Marxist theory of the state as its theoretical framework and argues strongly that the persistence of electoral violence in Nigeria is a threat to democratic consolidation in the country. The paper also recommends the possible remedies to electoral violence in Nigeria.


Keywords


Election, Electoral Violence, Democracy, Democratic Consolidation, and 2015 General Elections.

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References


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