VOTER TURNOUT AND THE QUEST FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA

A STUDY OF 2017 ANAMBRA GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION

Abstract

This study examines voter turnout and the quest for free and fair election with focus on Anambra 2017 gubernatorial election. Despite government and other agencies efforts through creating awareness and political education in order to ensure citizens active participation in elections, the elections in the Anambra State appears worrisome which shows that there is continuous decline of voter turnout. Thus, the study interrogates what account for voter turnout and the specific factor responsible in the just concluded Anambra 2017 election. This, despite series of campaigns by stakeholders on the importance of voters’ turnout in any election in Nigeria. Doing this, the study anchored on Elite Theory, while data for the study were generated through documentary techniques and analysed using the analytical inductive technique. The finding reveals that while efforts are in place to address the recurring low voters’ turnout in an election in Nigeria, the challenges persist due to the culture of political apathy that is implicated in elite disposition in Nigeria politics vis-à-vis other multiple factors which IPOB exacerbated in the 2017 Anambra election. Taking cognizance of these, the study recommends regular town halls meetings both at the rural and urban areas so as to address voter’s apathy among Nigerians as well as internet voting to address situation of insecurity.