Perceptions of Election Quality and Institutionalization of Democracy in Nigeria: An Overview of the 2011 General Elections

Abstract

The study focused on the perceptions of election quality and institutionalization of democracy in Nigeria, with emphasis on the 2011 general elections in Nigeria. The study adopted the empirical approach by using logistic regression analysis on Nigeria’s Afro-barometer Round 5, 2011 post-elections survey data (n=2400) to assess and evaluate citizens’ perceptions of election quality and its inherent implications on institutionalization of democracy in the country. The study hypothesized that citizens’ socio-economic factors such as age, education, residence, economic and employment status, perceptions of electoral irregularities, their evaluation of election commissions, including exposure to news media are likely to influence their perceptions of election quality. Negative perceptions of election quality accounted for contestable election results and political apathy in the political system. The hypotheses were tested in the context of 2011 general elections and the
hypotheses were confirmed. The results indicated that the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was strongly associated with citizens’ perceptions of election quality, though citizens’ perceptions of electoral irregularities, exposure to news media and socio-economic factors also matter. Following the findings of the study, it was recommended that policy makers and development partners should support the strengthening of democratic institutions to guarantee citizens’ confidence in the electoral system. The overall efficacy of the study findings relate to the implications of Election Management Body (EMB) with professionalism and impartiality in administering elections in a developing democracy such as Nigeria.