Election Management Bodies and Electoral Administration in Nigeria and Ghana, 2003-2012

ABSTRACT This study compares the election management bodies and electoral administration in Nigeria and Ghana, between 2003 and 2012. Utilizing the Marxist theory of the state, ex-post-facto research design, unstructured elite interview, qualitative method of data collection and qualitative descriptive analysis, the study investigates the link between the nature of the framework for the conduct of elections and electoral violence; the limited autonomy of election management bodies and organizational lapses in the electoral process; and the election management bodies’ operational political environment and their performance in electoral administration. The study found the nature of the framework for the conduct of elections and the limited autonomy of election management bodies to account for electoral violence and organizational lapses in the electoral process more in Nigeria than Ghana. The study also sees the election management bodies’ operational political environment to undermine their performance in electoral administration more in Nigeria than Ghana. The study argues that the limited autonomy and operational political environment account for ineffectiveness of election management body in electoral administration more in Nigeria than in Ghana. It, therefore, upholds the view that on account of the character of the Nigerian state, the performance of electoral management bodies in electoral administration was less susceptible to political manipulations and interferences and, by implication, commanded higher public confidence in Ghana than in Nigeria. Among others, the study recommends that the reports of the previous committees on re-structuring the Independent Electoral Commission should be implemented without further delay so as to structurally and institutionally reposition the Commission to conduct free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page............................................................................................................... i

Approval Page........................................................................................................ ii

Dedication.............................................................................................................. iii

Acknowledgements................................................................................................ iv

Table of Contents................................................................................................... v

List of Tables......................................................................................................... vii

List of Figures............................................................................................................ viii

Abbreviations......................................................................................................... ix

Abstract ................................................................................................................. x

CHAPTER ONE: Introduction

1.1. Background of the Study................................................................................. 1

1.2. Statement of the Problem................................................................................. 7

1.3. Objectives of the Study.................................................................................... 12

1.4. Significance of the Study................................................................................. 13

CHAPTER TWO: Literature Review

2.1. Framework for the Conduct of Elections and Electoral Violence .................... 15

2.2. Limited Autonomy of Election Management Body and Organizational

 Lapses in the Electoral Process in Nigeria and Ghana ...................................... 22

2.3. Election Management Bodies’ Operational Political Environment and their

 Performance in Electoral Administration ......................................................... 29

CHAPTER THREE: Methodology

3.1. Theoretical Framework.................................................................................... 41

3.2. Hypotheses...................................................................................................... 53

3.3. Research Design.............................................................................................. 53

3.4. Methods of Data Collection............................................................................. 55

3.5. Methods of Data Analysis ............................................................................... 59

3.6. Logical Data Framework................................................................................. 61

CHAPTER FOUR: The Frameworks for the Conduct of Elections and

 Electoral Violence in Nigeria and Ghana

4.1. Electoral Frameworks in Nigeria and Ghana ................................................... 64

4.2. Handling Sensitive Electoral Materials in Nigeria and Ghana .......................... 85

4.3. Deployment of Security Personnel during Elections in Nigeria and Ghana ...... 89

4.4. The Roles of Security Agencies during Elections in Nigeria and Ghana........... 94

4.5. Killing of Politicians, Candidates and Staff of EMBs during Elections in

 Nigeria and Ghana........................................................................................... 111

4.6. Destruction of Private/Public Properties during Elections in Nigeria and Ghana 124

vi

CHAPTER FIVE: Limited Autonomy and Organizational Lapses in the

 Electoral Process in Nigeria and Ghana

5.1. Government’s Funding of EMBs in Nigeria and Ghana ................................... 137

5.2. Appointment and Turnover of Members of EMBs in Nigeria and Ghana ......... 146

5.3. Control of Ad-hoc Staff during Elections in Nigeria and Ghana ....................... 152

5.4. Voters Registration and the Use Biometrics Scan in Nigeria and Ghana .......... 160

5.5. Inadequate Preparations by EMBs and Adjustment in Election Timetable in

 Nigeria and Ghana........................................................................................... 167

CHAPTER SIX: Political Environment of Election Management Bodies and

 Their Performance in Electoral Administration in Nigeria and Ghana

6.1. Incumbency Abuse Factor during Elections in Nigeria and Ghana................... 175

6.2. Political Parties in Nigeria and Ghana.............................................................. 178

6.3. Internal Democracy in the Selection of Candidates by Political Parties in

 Nigeria and Ghana........................................................................................... 190

6.4. Judicial Determination of Electoral Outcomes in Nigeria and Ghana ............... 197

6.5. Presence and Credibility Rating of Electoral Observers for Nigeria and Ghana 204

CHAPTER SEVEN: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

7.1. Summary......................................................................................................... 207

7.2. Conclusions..................................................................................................... 210

7.3. Recommendations........................................................................................... 211

 Bibliography ................................................................................................... 213