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Article Title: Electoral Malpractices And Violence At The Polling Stations: Threat To The Conduct Of Future Elections In Nigeria
by Rufus Aisedion, Joseph Osayande Akhimien, Omoregie Edoghogho

Abstract:
Electoral malpractices and violence at the polling stations have generally been given low priority attention by disregarding polling units which are the primary stage where intimidations and various manipulations are carried out by greedy politicians and electoral staff. The perpetuation of ill electoral activities at the pooling stations has caused emotional disorder and psychological harm to the electorate and candidates. This is apparent because of the inadequacy in capacity building needed to engage the competence of electoral institutions, political parties, security agencies and the electorate in the electoral process. The study focuses on the threat electoral malpractices and violence at the polling units pose on the conduct of future elections. The paper employed qualitative method of research, sourced from textbooks, internet, journals among others, and comprehensively analyzed using historical analysis. The findings emphasized the inadequacy in capacity building in the electoral process and political institutions have made simple ways for overzealous politicians to perpetrate electoral malpractice and violence in Nigeria. It also revealed the collaborations between some INEC officials, party agents, candidates and some of their ardent supporters in the business of committing election malpractices and violence at the polling units. The findings also pointed out vote buying, intimidation of voters, unnecessary delay of voters, late arrival of electoral officials and their ad hoc staff, thuggery, padding of ballot papers, shooting of fire arms to scare away voters, among others. It is recommended that capacity building through mass education and the strengthening of institutions will reduce lack of knowledge of the electorate; promotes good governance to instill the consciousness to vote candidates of their choice. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Keywords:

Keywords: Electoral Malpractices, Election, Democracy, Violence, Polling Unit

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