Electoral Regulations and Violence among Youths in Anambra State, Nigeria, 2015 - 2019

Abstract

The study interrogated electoral violence among youths and stakeholders in Anambra State, Nigeria (2015-2019). Ex-post facto research design was adopted. The population was 4,822 respondents consisting of INEC officials, executive of all registered political parties, town councils, and youth councils in the state. Simple random, proportionate and accidental sampling techniques were used in selecting 966 respondents for the study. Data collection instruments were Elections Regulations and Guidelines (ERG) contained in the 2010 Electoral Act, and Adherence to Election Ethics Questionnaire (AEEQ) with 20 items meant to elicit responses on the problems of the study. Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient was .71. Descriptive statistics, One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Simple linear regression were adopted for data analysis. Results showed that the level of adherence to election ethics in the study area is not significantly high and there is a statistically significant influence of perceived adherence to election ethics among stakeholders and involvement in election violence. Public perception of INEC conducting free and fair election significantly predicts adherence to election ethics among youths in Anambra State. It was recommended that candidates, electorates and electoral officials should make concerted efforts to adhere in totality to election ethics.

Keywords: Ethics, Youths, Electoral, violence, Politics

JEL Classification: M