Poster #22 - Police Legitimacy and Electoral Violence in Nigeria: A Multilevel Analysis of Procedural and Distributive Justice

• In Event: Poster Session I (posters 1 - 79)

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between police legitimacy and electoral violence in Nigeria, drawing on procedural and distributive justice frameworks. In many emerging democracies, perceptions of unfair policing and unequal treatment undermine public trust and may contribute to electoral conflict. This research investigates how individual- and community-level perceptions of police fairness shape the likelihood of electoral violence. Using a multilevel modeling approach, the study analyzes survey data nested within communities to assess both micro- and macro-level influences. Key variables include perceptions of procedural justice, distributive justice, police bias, prior experiences with law enforcement, and community-level indicators such as socioeconomic conditions and political competition. The findings suggest that lower perceptions of police legitimacy, driven by procedural injustice and unequal resource distribution, are significantly associated with higher levels of electoral violence. Community context also plays a critical role, as areas with heightened political competition and weaker institutional trust exhibit greater vulnerability to conflict. The results highlight the importance of fair and impartial policing in reducing electoral violence and strengthening democratic stability. The study contributes to the literature by integrating justice theories with multilevel analysis, offering policy-relevant insights for improving policing practices and promoting peaceful elections in Nigeria.

Author

• Godwin Egbe, University of Mississippi