Electoral Integrity and Low Trust in Post-1999 Democratizations Elections in Nigeria

The poor quality of elections has tainted the regime changes that have occurred in the post-third wave of democratization since the end of the cold war. Despite the fact that the consistency of elections has been recognised as a positive development in the ongoing democratization process, controversial elections muddied by the toolkit of fraud and manipulation have undermined the integrity of the electoral system, which has, in turn, led to low trust and perception of post-1999 democratization in Nigeria. The study examines Nigerian democratisation elections since 1999 and their electoral integrity. Using a quantitative method to collect and analyse its data, the study contends that post-1999 democratization elections failed to strengthen democracy because they lacked integrity and credibility, which are essential for the institutionalization of democracy. The results of this study showed that widespread electoral fraud and manipulation which have characterises Nigeria’s elections is the root causes of the electorate rising mistrust in its electoral system. This adds to the theory and practice supporting the main cause of democratic retrogression in many African nations whose elections have shown flaws. I advocate the necessity for increased reform of the Nigeria’s electoral process to enhance the ability of the electoral management body, institutionalisation of political parties and political culture that drives the inroad towards democratic deepening.