Voters Turnout and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria: Examining the Pains and Gains of General Elections in Nigerian Fourth Republic

Abstract

The rich history of Nigeria's democratic battles for votes reveals a growing concern and shared aspiration for the strengthening of the democratic system through legitimate, open, and equitable elections to address the issue of low voter turnout. Since the beginning of democratic rule in 1999, there has been a consistent and continuous decrease in voter participation in subsequent elections at all levels of government, whether it is federal, state, or local. Noteworthy factors that have contributed to this decline include distrust in political and governmental processes and an excessive presence of security forces in tense inter-ethnic relations. This research paper delves into the consequences of voter turnout and general elections in Nigeria, employing the 'Rational Choice Theory Model' proposed by Georges Homans in 1961 as its theoretical framework and utilizing secondary data collection methods. The findings of this study strongly advocate for a systematic update and purification of Nigeria's voter register to ensure its accuracy before the next phase of the country's fourth democratic dispensation. The implication for public policy is that this clean-up process would greatly enhance political involvement and the management of election data in Nigeria.