Perception of Political Disenfranchisement and Intention to Vote Among Journalists in Southwest Nigeria

Political franchise should be a fundamental right of any eligible voter during elections in democratic governance. That is why many international conventions theoretically recognise the rights of individuals to vote as inalienable. This research, however, observed that in practice, this right has consistently been denied some groups of people in Nigeria via systematic disenfranchisement occasioned by occupational and situational disadvantages. Prominent among such groups are journalists. In a democracy, journalists are assigned the watchdog role, in ensuring that no one is denied their rights, especially the right to vote and be voted for. Considering the seemingly, systematic disenfranchisement of some journalists during elections, it appears as though the watch dog cannot watch itself. This study is therefore undertaken to determine whether or not and to what extent journalists with the intention to vote are disenfranchised, mainly because of their profession. The cognitive engagement theory was used as the framework for the study. Survey research method was adopted while questionnaire is employed for data collection. The data were analysed quantitatively. Findings showed that some journalists with the intention to vote were disenfranchised due to their occupational responsibilities on election days in Nigeria’s previous election circles. Further findings revealed that the affected journalists want the situation addressed before the next Nigeria’s general elections. Based on the findings, the study recommended that special voting arrangements should be put in place by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accommodate this special category of the Nigerian electorates.

Perception, Political franchise, Disenfranchisement, Election/Voting, Journalists.

1. Abdulrauf, A., Abdul-Hamid, N. and Ishak, M. S. (2015). Social Media and Youth Online Political Participation: Perspectives on Cognitive Engagement, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/203962732-social-media-and-you-the-online-political-participation-perspectives-on-cognitive-engagement/link/56b39e908aed6999462913/downloaded on 03-04-2026. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Adeniyi, S. O. & Olaotan, O. K. (2020). Assessment of the level of preparedness of independent national electoral commission towards inclusion of voters with disabilities in 2019 election in Nigeria. Journal of Educational Research on Children, Parents & teachers, 1(1), 1-10. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Adigun, O. W. (2020). The factors determining voter turnouts in presidential elections in Nigeria: Multivariate correlation analysis of the 2019 presidential election. Open Political Science, 3, 11–33. https://doi.org/10.1515/openps2020-0002 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Amanyie, N.S., Bariledum, K. & Lucky, N. B. (2015). Electoral violence and political apathy in Nigeria:Issues and challenges. British Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 13(1), 155-173 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Amata, D. (2023, March 3). Nigeria records only 26.72% voter turn out in 2023 election. Dataphyte. https://www.dataphyte.com/latest-reports/nigeriadecides/nigeria-records-only-26.7%-voter-turn-out-in-2023-election [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Anyanwu, B. J. C., Awaeze, C. & Etumnu, E. W. (2022). Rights and responsibilities of journalists in nigeria: implications for development. African Journal of Social and Behavioural Sciences (AJSBS), 12 (1), 173-187. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Arifin, H. S., Fuady, I., & Kuswarno, E. (2017). Analisis faktor yang mempengaruhi persepsimahasiswa terhadap keberadaan perda syariah di Kota Serang. Jurnal PenelitianKomonikasi dan Opini Publik. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Charles, M. C. W. (2010). Impact of digital inequality on civic and political participation. (Doctoral Dissertation,The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology). Available on ProQuest Dissertation and Thesis Database. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Ekman, J. & Amna, E. (2009). Political Participation and Civic Engagement: Towards A New Typology. Normative Implications, 2nd ed. Baden-Baden: Nomos [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Erin, E., & Maharani, A. (2018). Persepsi mahasiswa pendidikan matematika terhadap perkuliahanonline. Mosharafa: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 7(3), 337–344. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Flanigan, W. H. & Zingale, N. H. (1998). Political Behaviour of the American Electorate Ninth Edition. Washington DC: CQ Press [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Ghadirian, H., Fauzi, A., Ayub, M., & Salehi, K. (2017). Students ’ perceptions of online discussions, participation and e-moderation behaviours in peermoderated asynchronous online discussions. Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 5139(November), 1–16. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Groves, R. M. & Peytcheva, E. (2008). The impact of nonresponse rates on nonresponse bias: A meta-analysis. Public Opinion Quarterly, 72, 167-189. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Inglehart, R. (1977). The silent revolution: Changing values and political styles among western publics. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Krejcie, R. V. and Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30, 607-610. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Lindell, H. (2019). The importance of voting. The University of Texas. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. MCBRIDE, K. (2020). SHOULD JOURNALISTS SACRIFICE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE IN PRIMARIES TO KEEP THEIR POLITICS PRIVATE? RETRIEVED ON 02/09/2024 FROM HTTPS://WWW.POYNTER.ORG/ETHICS-TRUST/2020/SHOULD-JOURNALISTS-SACRIFICE-THEIR-RIGHT-TO-VOTE-IN-PRIMARIES-TO-KEEP-THEIR-POLITICS-PRIVATE/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Miftahul H. (2017). Model-Model Pengajaran Dan Pembelajaran. Yogyakarta: PustakaBelajar. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Obani, E. F. & Odalonu, B. H. (2019). Election and voting behaviour in Nigeria. South-East COEASU Journal of Teacher Education (SECJOTE), 5(1), 122-131. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Oddih, M. (2007). “Electoral Fraud and the Democratic Process: Lessons from the 2003 Election”. In A. Jega and O. Ibeanu (eds) Elections and the future of Democracy in Nigeria. A Publication of the Nigerian Political Science Association. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Okonkwo, O. P. (2017). Disenfranchisement as an albatross to credible electoral process. International Review of Law and Jurisprudence (IRLJ), 1 (3), 55-66. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Oyoru, R. A. (2023). An Assessment of Factors Responsible for Low Voter Turnout in Nigeria: A Literature Review. Kashere Journal of Politics and International Relations, 1(1), 297-303. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Saifuddin, M. F. (2017). E-Learning Dalam Persepsi Mahasiswa. Varia Pendidikan, 29(2),102–109. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. SHEPARD, A. C. (2008).SHOULD JOURNALISTS VOTE?RETRIEVED ON 02/09/2024 FROM HTTPS://WWW.NPR.ORG/SECTIONS/PUBLICEDITOR/2008/02/20/19219122/SHOULD-JOURNALISTS-VOTE [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. THE BRITANNICA DICTIONARY. ‘DISENFRANCHISE’. RETRIEVED ON 02/09/2024 FROM HTTPS://WWW.BRITANNICA.COM/DICTIONARY/DISENFRANCHISE [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. United Nations Human Rights. (2023). Briefer on Human Rights and Elections for Journalists. Retrieved on 02/09/2024 from https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/briefer-human-rights-elections-journalists.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Zahida, A., & Younis, A. S. (2014). Determinants of voting behaviour in India: Theoretical perspectives. Public Policy and Administration Research, 4(8), 104-108. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Communication Strategies among Promoters During MATTA Fair 2025
• An Examination of Colleen Ballinger’s Experience in Social Media: Cancel Culture Chronicle
• Communication Patterns in Conflict Interactions in Premarital Couples Who Are in Abusive Relationships
• Social Media Use on Mental Health Outcomes among Adolescents and Young Adults in Port Harcourt City
• (Un)Successful Error Repairs in L2 Communication