Election Administration in Nigeria: Analyses of 2007 and 2011 National Assembly Elections in Taraba State

Abstract

Election administration into the National legislative houses of Nigeria from the Taraba state senatorial districts and constituencies in 2007 and 2011 has so much to be desired in the context of credibility of the electoral process which was characterized by corruption in vote buying and physical, and psychological violence under a scenario of poor voter education. The paper used structured questionnaire to gather primary data and found that electoral umpire at the national and state levels lack the power and will to enforce electoral law on offenders to the latter in order to deepen election credibility and indeed democracy and democratization based on social contract theory. The paper recommends strong voter education, open and transparent electoral process to be monitored by local and international observers, and enforcement of all electoral laws despite threats of corruption.

Keywords: Election, Management, Bodies, Democracy, Taraba and Nigeria.