Adhoc Election Workers and Electoral Integrity: Insights from the 2023 General Election in Nigeria.

• In Event: Elections, Voting and Campaigning

Abstract

Studies on elections converge on the fact that credible elections are pivotal in deepening democracy. In the Nigerian context, while scholarly attention has been devoted to understanding the impact of variables such as widespread rigging, violence, vote buying, militarization, hate speech and logistics on the integrity of elections, the role of adhoc workers employed by the electoral management body in the electoral process remains vague and largely understudied. Using the 2023 general election as a focal point of analysis, this study will interrogate the contributions of adhoc election workers toward strengthening election integrity in Nigeria. The study adopted qualitative methods of data collection and analysis such as interviews, field observations and document analysis. We reflect the symptoms of democratic reversal by showing how lack of adequate attention to the recruitment, training, welfare and safety of the adhoc workers leaves them prone to political manipulations. Politicians leverage on these problems to deter the linear processes and footprints of electoral integrity.

Author

• Ikenna Mike Alumona, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University,Igbariam