ELECTORAL MALPRACTICES

ELECTORAL MALPRACTICES

This is the manipulation of electoral process by the electoral commission, political parties and candidates.

FORMS OF ELECTORAL MALPRACTICE

1. Use of fake ballot paper.
2. There may be artificial scarcity of electoral materials in some areas to weaken some parties where they are strong.
3. Some political parties may hire under age voters to vote so as to increase their chances of winning.
4. Some candidates and their supporters may intimidate some lawful voters to scare away the supporters of the opposing parties
5. It may also be in a form of financial inducement to win more votes.
6. There may also be detention of some candidates.
7. Announcement of wrong candidates as the  winner of an election.

CAUSES OF ELECTORAL MALPRACTICES

1. It may be caused by corruption of the electoral officers who may receive money from contesting parties.
2. Lack of independence of electoral commission.
3. Elections are rigged because of politicians who want to enrich themselves when they win such elections.
4. Elections may be rigged to perpetuate to perpetuate an existing government in power.

CONSEQUENCES OF ELECTORAL MALPRACTICES

1. A wrong candidate who will not be able to perform may win election.
2. It may lead to political violence because people will react when their mandate is stolen.
3. The society may not witness development as those in power may not be interested in developing the state.
4. Such government may embezzle public fund.
5. The government may be autocratic.
6. People will not be able to enjoy dividend of democracy.

HOW TO PREVENT ELECTORAL MALPRACTICE

1.  Men of good character should be appointed into the electoral body.
2. Workers of the electoral commission should be well remunerated or paid to prevent them from taking bribe.
3. The electoral commission should be independent.
4. Results of elections should be released on time to prevent to prevent manipulation of figures.
5. People should be educated on the negative effects of rigging election which may bring wrong people to power.
6. Serious punishment should be meted out to those that rig election in order to serve as deterrent to others.