Elections

In a community, everybody cannot lead. So there must be representatives who will give directives for others to follow. This has given rise to nominations and election of representatives that will direct the affairs of a particular community.

Election is simply defined as the process by which people are voted into power. It is the way of voting people to occupy political offices in order to serve the community or society for a particular period of time. Election is defined as the act of choosing candidates to represent the people of a given country in the parliament, the executive and possibly into other areas of government as stipulated in the constitution of that country. For example in U.S.A, judges of the lower courts are elected.

Election is the process by which people select or elect a candidate into an official position. It is usually carried out in a democratic system of government. Election is done through voting. Elections are conducted at definite intervals as spelt out in the constitution of the nation.

Voting is a method for a group, such as, a meeting or an electorate to make a decision or express an opinion, usually following discussions, debates or election campaigns. Residents of a place represented by an elected official are called “constituents”, and those constituents who cast a ballot for their chosen candidate are called “voters”.

Types of Election

There are different types of elections to elect leaders in a given community. These elections are:

1. Primary Election: Within a party, those to contest for a particular post like president, senators/ house of reps, governors, chairman etc are nominated within themselves. Primary election is the election that is held within the political party to choose the party representatives at the ward, constituencies, state or national level.
2. General Election: These types of elections are held at the same time all over the country. In the general election all the candidates that are presented by the parties for each post now come out to contest in the general election, in this election everybody stay within their area in the country to cast their vote.
3. Bye election: This is the type of election held to choose a candidate for a vacant post as a result of death or resignation of the former representatives. It is usually carried out in the ward or state where such happens.
4. Run-off election: This is the kind of election that is carried out when there is no candidate that wins the election as directed by the law. It takes place after no candidate earned a majority in an election.
5. Electoral College: This is an indirect system of election; it is the election in which the generality of the people vote to elect people who would in turn vote several times to elect the needed representatives.

We also have the direct and indirect election

• Direct election: It involves the voters casting their votes directly in a political election for candidates of their choice and that will represent them either in the executive or legislature without interference.

Merits of Direct Election

1. Restoration of voters’ rights.
2. It is democratic.
3. Gives electorate equality of votes in the system.
4. It reflects the popular choice of the people.
5. It enhances dedication and hard work.
6. It is simple to operate.
7. vii.  Creates opportunity for people to know their prospective representatives.

Demerits of Direct Election

1. Illiterates usually vote wrongly because they cannot identify party symbols and names.
2. Problems of rigging during elections.
3. Use of corrupt electoral officers.
4. Poor turnout of voters is not a true reflection of those that registered.
5. It can encourage violence, victimisation, etc.

• Indirect election: It is a system whereby the legislators or local government units will form the body known as Electoral College. They will have to vote for the candidates of their choice as a result of the failure of the general elections to produce elected candidates.

Merits of Indirect Election

1. The best qualified candidates are allowed to vote.
2. It produces less violence during election.
3. The candidates are well informed before voting.
4. The opportunity of rigging is partially absent.
5. It is not as expensive as direct election.

Demerits of Indirect Election

1. It does not allow ordinary citizens to elect their leaders directly.
2. There is room for bribery and corruption.
3. It is undemocratic.
4. Dishonest leaders are enthroned.
5. Members of the electoral college are imposed on the people.
6. There is victimisation among the members.
7. Other types of election are: By-election, run-off election or second ballot, primary election and referendum.

Qualifications for Elections

There are basic qualifications for elections. These are

1. Anybody that must contest an election must belong to a registered political party
2. He must be an adult who is able to contribute to the welfare of the nation
3. Such an individual must have clean records within and outside the nation
4. He must be free from all bias, favouritism, ethnicity, preference.
5. He must be a person who is ready to serve and not a person who wants to be served
6. He must be a person of high intelligent quotient
7. He must be disciplined and be ready through example instill discipline to others also
8. A corrupt free individual

Assessment

1. Define the concept of election, voter and voting.
2. List five types of election