A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF ELECTION LAWS IN NIGERIA

A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF ELECTION LAWS IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

The electoral process is a total process that includes registration of voters, identifying the political parties to be voted for, voting, counting of votes, and declaration of election results. This process is the foundation of civil societies. A strong civil society is vital and needed to serve as the bedrock of a stable democracy. It represents the reservoir of resources -- political, economic, cultural, and moral -- to complement and, when necessary, to check the power of the state. A dynamic and diverse civil society directly stimulates social and political participation, increasing the involvement and commitment of citizens and promoting an appreciation of the obligations, as well as the rights, of citizenship. By providing many potential avenues for political, economic and social expression, a society with a rich associational life gives people a stronger stake in the social order. This in turn, creates a climate within which mutual respect, tolerance, negotiation, and compromise actually make sense, and flourish. Nigeria claims to be democratic and seeks to prove that under the banner of representation and multi-party political systems. Elections are used as a means by which representatives and policies are decided. The choice between political parties or individual candidates is made through elections. It should be noted that the public function implies elections. This electoral process is the peaceful transfer of power and legitimate exercise of authority. It demands active, broad-based citizen participation. It is the election that actually determines who shall wield power for a number of years as specified by the constitution. An electoral system may be defined as a process in which the mode of coming to power or the change of government is decided in a particular country at a given time.This paper is going to examine the development of several election laws that has been developed and the progression of the laws.

Table of Content

COVER PAGE
CERTIFICATION PAGE
ABSTRACT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
TABLE OF CASES
TABLE OF STATUTES
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.0.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1.0 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
1.2.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1.3.0 FOCUS OF THE STUDY
1.4.0 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
1.5.0 METHODOLOGY
1.6.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
1.7.0 DEFINITION OF TERMS
1.8.0 CONCLUSION

CHAPTER TWO

HISTORICAL FRAMEWORK OF ELECTORAL LAW IN NIGERIA
2.O.O.INTRODUCTION
2.1.0. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF ELECTION LAWS IN NIGERIA
2.2.0. THE POST INDEPENDENCE POLITICAL SETTING
2.2.1. THE FIRST REPUBLIC
2.2.2. THE SECOND- THE FOURTH REPUBLIC
2.3.0. PROGRESSION OF POST COLONIAL LAWS
2.4.0. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ,GOVERNORSHIP,HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ELECTION PETITIONS UNDER THE 1999 CONSTITUTION
2.4.1. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION UNDER THE 1999 CONSTITUTION
2.5.0. CONCLUSION

CHAPTER THREE

MAJOR ISSUES IN ELECTORAL LAW-INTRA-PARTY DISPUTES AND JUSTICIABILITY , QUALIFICATIONS AND DISQUALIFICATIONS.
3.0.0.INTRODUCTION
3.1.0.LEGAL STATUS OF A POLITICAL PARTY
3.1.1.CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR POLITICAL PARTY RULES AND REGULATIONS
3.1.2. JUDICIAL APPROACH TO INTRA PARTY DISPUTES
3.2.0 QUALIFICATIONS AND DISQUALIFICATIONS
3.3.0CONCLUSION

CHAPTER FOUR

ELECTORAL LAW REFORM
4.0.0.INTRODUCTION
4.1.0.EVENTS THAT LED TO THE REFORM
4.1.1.THE ELECTORAL REFORM COMMITTEE
4.2.0.A REVIEW OF THE ELECTORAL ACT 2010 AS GAZETTED
4.3.0.PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF THE ELECTORAL ACT 2010
4.4.0.CONCLUSION

CHAPTER FIVE

GENERAL CONCLUSION
5.0.0.CONCLUSION
5.1.0.RECOMMENDATION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
ARTICLES ON THE INTERNET
BOOKS