THE ROLE OF FOREIGN ELECTORAL OBSERVERS ON ELECTION CREDIBILITY IN NIGERIA

1.1 Introduction

Foreign Electoral Observers is the observation of an election by one or more independent parties, typically from another country or a non-governmental organization (NGO), primarily to assess the conduct of an election process on the basis of national legislation and international election standards. Election is the nerve and brain of democratic system. It is the instrument and a procedure for choice of leadership in a liberal manner where the political leaders compete for power while the voters are allowed to exercise their rights (Smith, 2015).

The world is contemporarily dominated by democratic governance and this has made an election a pivotal activity in nation-states (Buttorff, 2019). In essence, election is a determinant factor in which political institutions and political actors display their choices, policy preferences, ideology, liberty, freedom and desire of who wants to rule and who is wanted to rule (Cole, 2017).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.

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1.2 Background of Study

Nigeria’s politics right from the 90s is usually characterized by violence. It has always been a case that if a candidate loses, he and his party members will take to violence to alleviate their dissatisfaction over the election results. The past (military) and present government have contributed in encouraging this unnecessary means of reacting to election results (Babatunde, 2007:54). From that time still date, Nigeria election is usually known for many irregularities and violence which have affected the economic, social and political stability of the country.

Elections globally are very important practice for both developed and developing country, as it serves as one of the means for sustainable development of a country (Attahiru, 2011:5). It encourages the practice of democracy, giving the citizens chance to participate in the governance of their country.

Nigeria’s 2015 general election was an election that can never be forgotten in the history of Nigeria. It was an election that left Nigerians in fear of what might be its possible outcome, as the Nigeria environment was really tensed. The absence of war after the 2015 general elections is a good sign that Nigeria will forever stand united, as there were many speculations from international observers and even from Nigerians that the outcome of the election might possibly lead to war. These fears were very obvious bearing some reasons in mind: first being that there was a strong opposition party that had bounced back stronger to take over from the ruling party of which they succeeded, second being that the economy of the country was under serious attack from the Boko Harams in the northern part of the country which could discourage voters and finally, it was crystal clear that the electoral body (INEC) was really unprepared as there were noticeable lapses in their conducts; coupled with the postponement of the election from 14th February to 28th March (Onapajo, 2015). Bearing the above points in mind, it was difficult for anyone to expect peaceful elections across the country that was why there were comments from international observers about the 2015 election. The 2015 general election was characterized with the opposition party taking over power from the incumbent president, which has never happened in the history of Nigeria.

The presence of international observers has been witnessed during elections in Nigeria, and the last election which was held in 2015 was not an exemption. According to INEC, 107 observant were accredited to monitor the 2015 elections. Examples of the group include International Republican Institute (IRI), the European Union Election Observation Mission and National Democratic Institute (NDI). The leader of one of the groups, NDI to be precise commented on how participatory Nigerians were in enfranchising their rights; directly upholding the tenets of democracy. He pointed some of the challenges faced during the election and urged the necessary bodies saddled with fixing such challenges to look into it. One of such challenges was the one tied to the card reader machine, as it was able to read some people’s card and in most cases the reverse was the case. This group equally pointed out the lapses caused by INEC in the delivery of election materials to polling units on time.

Another report from a different international group observer, the European Union Electoral Observation Mission reported that the 2015 elections were peaceful and the security personnel were at their best in ensuring it was peaceful. Though Ambassador John Campbell (former) had a different view as regards the credibility of the 2015 elections; he was of the opinion that the polling at the 2015 elections was credible, but counting of the cast votes were not credible (sahelblog, 2011). He added that religious and party sentiments played a greater role in the 2o15 elections.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Role of Foreign Electoral Observers on Election Credibility in Nigeria.

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1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that Elections in Nigeria have been characterized by so many irregularities. Irregularities resulting from the body saddled with the responsibility of conducting elections (INEC). Most especially the 2015 election were we have cases of card reader malfunctioning, late delivery of election materials, snatching of ballot boxes, high level of insecurities, and destroying of lives and properties.

All these have always greeted the Nigerian electoral process, thereby limiting the growth of democracy in Nigeria. In addition, results announced from elections in Nigeria are usually falsified in most cases. As a result of this, many Nigerians are discouraged to vote during elections as they have this mindset that their votes are not counted.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the role of foreign electoral observers on electoral credibility in Nigeria using 2015 general elections as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To determine the significant relationship between foreign electoral observers and electoral credibility;
2. To examine if 2015 election was the freest and fairest election ever held in the area under review;
3. To examine if the presence of foreign electoral observers reduces electoral fraud;
4. To determine the effect of electoral credibility on the sustainable development of Nigeria; and
5. To examine how objective foreign electoral observers are in monitoring elections in the area under review.

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1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Does the presence of foreign electoral observers reduce electoral fraud?
• Is there a significant relationship between foreign electoral observers and electoral credibility?
• Is there an effect of electoral credibility on the sustainable development of Nigeria?
• What is the role of foreign electoral observers on election credibility in Nigeria?

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1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: Foreign electoral observers play no role on election credibility in Nigeria.
• H1: Foreign electoral observers play roles on election credibility in Nigeria.

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1.7 Significance of Study

The findings will be beneficial to the electoral commission (INEC) in their bid to conduct an itch free election; the study will be of great benefit to the political parties who are the major players in the electoral process.

This study will educate, inform and enlighten the general public, government and policy makers. It is important to the general public because it will help encourage them to exercise their franchise and to know why it is important to have foreign electoral observers come witness our elections.

To the government, it will bring to their knowledge that for Nigeria to practice true democracy, those challenges that were pointed out by foreign electoral observers must be tackled, in other to avoid subsequent occurrences.

Also, this study is important for policy makers, as they will have to promote the need for credibility in Nigeria elections.

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1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Role of Foreign Electoral Observers on Election Credibility in Nigeria using 2015 General Elections as a reference point.

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1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

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1.10 Definition of Terms

Election: Election is a formal decision- making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. It has also been described as a celebration of democracy whereby the electorates are given the opportunity to elect leaders who will take charge of governance within a given period of time.

Role: This is the function assumed or part played by a person or thing in a particular situation.

Foreign Electoral Observers: Is the observation of an election by one or more independent parties, typically from another country or a non-governmental organization (NGO), primarily to assess the conduct of an election process on the basis of national legislation and international election standards.

Credible Elections: Are characterized by inclusiveness, transparency, accountability, and competitiveness. Inclusive elections provide equal opportunities for all eligible citizens to participate as voters in selecting their representatives and as candidates for election to government.

INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission): It was set up in 1998 and is the electoral body which was set up to oversee elections in Nigeria.