How University of Ilorin undergraduates perceive Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission’s social media use for citizens’ engagement
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Date
2020
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Journal of Law and Social Sciences, 4(4), 55-74, Published by University of Zambia
Abstract
Using mixed method with questionnaire and in-depth interview as instruments
of data collection, a study was carried out with the objective of finding
out undergraduates’ perception of the Independent National Electoral
Commission’s (INEC) deployment of social media to engage citizens.
Population of the study was 44,919 undergraduates at the University of
Ilorin, Nigeria from which a sample of 386 was drawn for the quantitative
aspect and fifteen informants for the qualitative aspect. The quantitative data
was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 21 version while
responses of informants were recorded and transcribed by the researchers.
Findings showed that undergraduates, who are active users of social media
perceived messages the electoral body posted as untrustworthy. In addition,
the body lacked visibility on social media. The study concluded that INEC’s
use of social media for citizens’ engagement was in response to the demand
of the contemporary society which social media cannot be ignored. The study
recommended the need for INEC to be more aggressive in social media use as
well as build public trust through prompt responses to issues and allegations.
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Keywords
Citizen engagement, election, electoral body, perception, social media, visibility
Citation
Udende, P., & Tijani, A.F. (2020). How University of Ilorin undergraduates perceive Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission’s social media use for citizens’ engagement. Journal of Law and Social Sciences, 4(4), 55-74, Published by University of Zambia