ELECTION MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY PROBLEMS IN NIGERIA: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS
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Date
2023
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Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Abstract
Nigeria has experienced significant challenges in managing security during election periods, resulting in violence and instability that have undermined the credibility and integrity of its democratic process. This chapter examines the relationship between elections and security management in Nigeria, with a focus on the 2023 general elections. From the lens of institutional theory, the chapter analyzes the role of security agencies, including the police and other sister security agencies, in ensuring the safety and security of voters, electoral officers candidates, and other stakeholders. It was observed that the 2023 general election was not free from electoral violence, voter intimidation, low voter turnout, and vote buying because the emphasis has always been on the quantity of security personnel deployed for election management rather than their conduct in maintaining election .security. Therefore, future elections could be well managed and secured when' there is synergy among security agencies, full legalization of technology in the electoral system, and provision of adequate political education for the electorates' by relevant stakeholders.
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Keywords
Security, General Election, Police, security management