ELECTORAL OFFENCES PENALTIES AND IMPLICATION AS THE YARDSTICK TO NIGERIAN DEMOCRACY.
Generally speaking, democracy all over the world is centred on elections. The strength of any democracy in the world is measured by the credibility of it is an election. The election must be free, fair and away from any electoral malpractice. In developing countries, Africa inclusive democracy in such countries faced challenges of conducting credible polls. For some of them, elections were usually married by rigging, violence and other forms of electoral malpractice and irregularities. In the case of Nigeria democracy has not really taken its roots as an election is seen as a winner take all. Characterized by violence, rigging and thuggery which to a certain extent affected the democratization process of the country. The system theory was employed to justify the argument. The methodology was qualitative using content analysis. The paper recommends, the provision of a standard electoral process, strong institutions, improve staff training, promotion of political education and creating awareness to the electorates. Poverty reductions programmes among others.
Keywords: Election, Democracy, Electoral offences, Electoral violence.
.
