| dc.description.abstract | This paper examines the electoral laws in Nigeria to determine their impact on political
exclusion and inclusion in the Nigeria democratic process. This study is necessary because
participatory governance is a key requirement of sustainable democracy, particularly in
representative government. When sections of society are excluded from contributing to
national debate, in development of national legal framework, and governance, the governance
dividends and services become biased and unrepresentative. Such scenarios create distrust
amongst citizens and gradually lead to corruption and crisis in society. Put simply, democracy
fails when the right to vote and be voted for in elections is skewed against sections of the society
either deliberately or as unintended consequences of legislation. On this background, this
paper critically examines the legal framework on electoral process in Nigeria to determine its
impact on the perception and reality of electoral exclusion and suggests approaches for
improvement. The paper adopts a doctrinal approach by focusing on analysis of existing
electoral legal framework, including the Constitution, Electoral Act and political party
constitutions, and how they, directly or indirectly, disenfranchise sections of the society. The
paper finds that the electoral regime is structured in a way that perpetuates electoral exclusion
of the poor and young people via the imposition of divisive financial and age requirements.
The paper recommends an alteration of constitutional provisions on qualification to contest
election by reducing the age requirement and jettisoning financial requirements for
participation. | en_US |
