THE EFFECT OF CARD READER ON ELECTION CREDIBILITY (A CASE STUDY OF 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page………………………………………………………………………………………………………… I

Certification……………………………………………………………………………………………………. II

Dedication……………………………………………………………………………………………………… III

Table of Contents……………………………………………………………………………………………. IV

Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. VIII

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the Study	…………………………………………………………….1
1.2       Statement of the Problem	…………………………………………………………….2
1.3       Objectives of the Study	…………………………………………………………….3
1.4       Significance of the Study	…………………………………………………………….3
1.5       Research Questions	…………………………………………………………….3
1.6       Research Hypotheses	…………………………………………………………….4
1.7       Scope of the Study	…………………………………………………………….4
1.8       Limitation of the Study	…………………………………………………………….4
1.9       Research Methodology	…………………………………………………………….4
1.10     Concept Clarification	…………………………………………………………….5
1.11     Chapterization of the Study	…………………………………………………………….5
1.12     Reference	……………………………………………………….……6

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

• Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
  • Conceptual Review……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
    • Election……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
    • Smart Card Reader……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
    • Smart Card Reader: the real issue in the 2015 general elections………………………………. 10
    • The challenges of smart card reader in the 2015 general elections in Nigeria…………….. 16
    • Effect of card reading machine on the conduct of 2015 general elections………………….. 18
    • Technical hitches in the use of card reading machine during the 2015 general elections.20
    • Impact of the smart card reader on the 2015 general elections in Nigeria………………….. 21
    • Smart card reader and future elections in Nigeria: The way forward…………………………. 22
  • Theoretical Framework……………………………………………………………………………………….. 23
    • Media Equation Theory……………………………………………………………………………………….. 23
    • Democratic Theory……………………………………………………………………………………………… 24
    • Agenda Setting Theory………………………………………………………………………………………… 25
  • References………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 26

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

• Research Design…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 27
  • Study Area…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 27
  • Population of the Study……………………………………………………………………………………….. 27
  • Sample Size……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 27
  • Sample Technique………………………………………………………………………………………………. 28
  • Instruments of Data Collection…………………………………………………………………………… 28
  • Method of Analysis…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 28
  • References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 28

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

• Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 29
  • Data Presentation………………………………………………………………………………………………… 29

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

• Summary……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 61
  • Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 61
  • Recommendations………………………………………………………………………………………………. 62

BIBLOGRAPHY…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 64

ABSTRACT

Beginning from the pre-independence era, elections in Nigeria have been characterized by political violence; gross electoral malpractices; government‟s interference; money politics and the use of ethno-religious identities in shaping the voting patterns of the electorates. Nigeria with a population of over 170 million is fragmented into diverse ethnic groups. The country was conceived by the British Colonialists and till date Nigerians are yet to see themselves as one entity. The results of the 1965 General Elections led to political upheaval that truncated the First Republic after the military organized a coup on January 15, 1966. The Second Republic came to an abrupt end after the military overthrew President Shehu Shagari few months after the 1983 elections. The historic June 12, 1993 election believed to have been won by late Business Mogul, MKO Abiola was considered by many observers as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria‟s political history. However, the election was infamously annulled by the military dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida. The June 12 annulment shook the foundations of the country as the Babangida regime was forced out, the Interim National Government collapsed less than hundred days and the maximum ruler, General Sani Abacha stepped into power. Since the return to democracy in 1999, elections from the local to national levels suggest that Nigeria‟s democratic system is still very weak going by the post-election violence that marred the 2011 elections. This research will give an in-depth analysis of the 2015 polls in Nigeria.

Keywords: Presidential Elections, Incumbency, Opposition, INEC.

CHAPTER ONE

1. BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The usage of card readers at the 2015 general election in Nigeria has infused some level of transparency and credibility into Nigeria’s electoral process. It was observed that when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) first announced its plan to introduce card reader machine for the March 28 and April 11 2015 general elections, many Nigerians, especially politicians, vehemently opposed to it. They felt the country has not developed to a level where such technology can be employed for elections and for the electoral commission to continue with the use of the primitive materials that were been used before. Besides, they felt the use of card reader would disrupt the entire electoral processes.

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THE EFFECT OF CARD READER ON ELECTION CREDIBILITY (A CASE STUDY OF 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS)