Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC): An Instrument of Electoral Confusion and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria
- October 11, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: IJRISS, Public Administration
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue IX, September 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186
Patrick Osatohanmwen Oviasuyi
Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences, Ambrose Alli University , Ekpoma, Edo State , Nigeria
Abstract: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was established by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to among other things organize elections into various political offices in the country. The functions of INEC are as contained in section 15, part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) and section 2 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended). The duties of INEC have been interpreted in several judicial decisions as requiring the Commission to act as an unbiased and non-partisan umpire in the discharge of its duties. However, what is hardly disputed is the fact that the Commission is still saddled with a huge responsibility of ensuring transparency in the electoral process starting from registration of political parties, nomination of candidates to the actual holding of elections. The Commission is charged with the responsibility of registering political parties and had as at 31st December, 2019 registered 91 (ninety one) political parties in a semi-literate society. The 2019 general elections’ ballot papers had 91 political parties and their logos listed, and Nigerians were expected to cast their votes for the parties of their choice out of the political parties listed therein. Nigeria, with semi-literate population was confused about the content of the ballot papers, and therefore, majority of them were unable to cast their votes rightly for the parties of their choice. However, in spite of the functions and responsibilities of the Commission as an instrument of democracy, the reverse is the case looking at the aggressive proliferation of political parties that now constitutes electoral confusion, and by logical extension, threatening the democratic consolidation in the country. This paper is of the view that multi-party system is not suitable for Nigeria, and therefore, recommends a two-party system that will cut across the north, west, east, south, religious divide, ethnic divide, class divide, and of course, that will promote the democratic consolidation, as the most suitable party system for Nigeria my beloved country.
Key Words: Proliferation of Political Parties, Electoral Confusion, Democratic Consolidation, Party System
I. INTRODUCTION
The concept “Democracy” means different thing to different people; a school of thought agrees that it is a struggle to gain control; while another is of the view that “Democracy” is about representation. Nwoye (2001) opined that democracy is based on effective representation and participation.
