ELECTION :
Elections can be defined as the act of electing candidates to represent the people of a given country, in the executive, legislation and other arms of government as stipulated in the constitution of that particular country. Knowing the meaning of election, one can therefore said election is the deciding factor of a country's leadership or government.
FUNCTIONS:
1. FREE CHOICE OF LEADERS - Election provides a forum or platform for citizens to participate in the choosing of their leaders. In a true democratic society, election is a true reflection of the people's will. The people have the free choice of electing leaders into different political offices .
2. It FOSTERS DEMOCRACY - Through the participating of citizens on election, the democracy of the country begins to take a better shape. Also, election promotes the good wills of each citizen, through the reflection of their votes.
3. Legitimacy - As you know, legitimacy simply means a legal action or course, and as you can see it is really applicable when it comes to a democratic election. Since citizens vote in their leaders, hence, the government in powers is a legitimate one. Election confers legitimacy on the elected government in power.
4. COMPETITION - Election promotes healthy competition among political parties. It creates an avenue whereby candidates contest favourably for political positions through it, competition makes election healthy and efficient.
DEMERITS OF ELECTION :
1. ELECTIONS MAKE FOR ANTAGONISTIC GROUPS - Election brings about rivalry among political parties of the country. Elections can divide the country into antagonistic groups with different camps opposing one another.
2. WASTAGE OF FUNDS - During elections, candidates view it as an avenue to flaunt our their money and also to buy citizens vote. On the part of the state, a lot of money, materials, etc, are wasted conducting elections into different political offices.
3. ELECTION RIGGING - Candidates of election mostly feel the best and only way to pass election, is by rigging it. Thorough dubious intentions into the post of political offices.
4. MARGINALIZATION - To marginalize is to make somebody feel as if they are not important and cannot influence decisions. It can also mean to put somebody in a position in which they have no power.
Election puts some groups in the society, in complete marginalization, and cases disaffection in the political system.
TYPES OF ELECTIONS:
1. DIRECT ELECTION - Direct elections involves the electorate (voters), casting their votes directly in an election for candidates of their choice, who will then represent them either in the executive or legislature.
2. INDIRECT ELECTION - Indirect elections involves the electorate (voters), electing the members of parliament (lawmakers), and the lawmakers in turn will have to vote on behalf of the people to elect the president.
The above listed types of elections are basically the major types . However, there are still some minor types. They are:
3. BY ELECTION - This is the type of election that takes place, in order to fill a vacant elective post, due to dis-qualification, resignation or death of the individual holding that office. Therefore, only registered voters in this constituency are allowed to vote.
4. RUN-OFF ELECTION - Run-off election, also called "SECOND BALLOT" occurs when no candidate wins an election of absolute majority In a general election. In this election, only candidates with the highest votes are allowed to contest.
5. PRIMARY ELECTION - This is the election conducted within the confinement of a political party. It involves political parties presenting candidates for any election in a country. The political parties produces credible candidate(S) that will adequately represent the interests of the party in any election.
6. REFERENDUM - This is a "YES" or "NO" vote of the people, particularly on law In a given political system. It is mostly useful on checking the powers of the legislature
7. PLEBISCITE - This is also a "YES" or "NO" vote of the people, especially on issues affecting national importance. It is mostly on relevant public or political question like the issues of minorities.
CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR THE CONDUCT OF A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION :
1. IMPARTIALITY OF ELECTORAL OFFICERS: The electoral officers conducting elections should not in any way be partial. They should not collaborate either with the government or any political party, so as not to jeopardize free and fair elections.
2. TRAINING OF OFFICIALS AND PROVISION OF ELECTION MATERIALS - In any election to be conducted, proper and adequate training should be in place, sufficient materials should also be provided, in order to aid free and fair elections.
3. POLITICAL EDUCATION OF THE ELECTORATE - The electorate (voters) should be educated on their political rights, and also how to identify party symbols and the proper manner of voting.
4. INDEPENDENCE OF ELECTORAL COMMISSION - Government, political parties, and aspirant should not interfere with the conduct of the elections.
5. COUNTING OF VOTES - Votes must be counted under strict supervision, in order to avoid rigging of elections.
POSTED BY
ADENIYI FAITH. O
1. ELECTIONS MAKE FOR ANTAGONISTIC GROUPS - Election brings about rivalry among political parties of the country. Elections can divide the country into antagonistic groups with different camps opposing one another.
2. WASTAGE OF FUNDS - During elections, candidates view it as an avenue to flaunt our their money and also to buy citizens vote. On the part of the state, a lot of money, materials, etc, are wasted conducting elections into different political offices.
3. ELECTION RIGGING - Candidates of election mostly feel the best and only way to pass election, is by rigging it. Thorough dubious intentions into the post of political offices.
4. MARGINALIZATION - To marginalize is to make somebody feel as if they are not important and cannot influence decisions. It can also mean to put somebody in a position in which they have no power.
Election puts some groups in the society, in complete marginalization, and cases disaffection in the political system.
TYPES OF ELECTIONS:
1. DIRECT ELECTION - Direct elections involves the electorate (voters), casting their votes directly in an election for candidates of their choice, who will then represent them either in the executive or legislature.
2. INDIRECT ELECTION - Indirect elections involves the electorate (voters), electing the members of parliament (lawmakers), and the lawmakers in turn will have to vote on behalf of the people to elect the president.
The above listed types of elections are basically the major types . However, there are still some minor types. They are:
3. BY ELECTION - This is the type of election that takes place, in order to fill a vacant elective post, due to dis-qualification, resignation or death of the individual holding that office. Therefore, only registered voters in this constituency are allowed to vote.
4. RUN-OFF ELECTION - Run-off election, also called "SECOND BALLOT" occurs when no candidate wins an election of absolute majority In a general election. In this election, only candidates with the highest votes are allowed to contest.
5. PRIMARY ELECTION - This is the election conducted within the confinement of a political party. It involves political parties presenting candidates for any election in a country. The political parties produces credible candidate(S) that will adequately represent the interests of the party in any election.
6. REFERENDUM - This is a "YES" or "NO" vote of the people, particularly on law In a given political system. It is mostly useful on checking the powers of the legislature
7. PLEBISCITE - This is also a "YES" or "NO" vote of the people, especially on issues affecting national importance. It is mostly on relevant public or political question like the issues of minorities.
CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR THE CONDUCT OF A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION :
1. IMPARTIALITY OF ELECTORAL OFFICERS: The electoral officers conducting elections should not in any way be partial. They should not collaborate either with the government or any political party, so as not to jeopardize free and fair elections.
2. TRAINING OF OFFICIALS AND PROVISION OF ELECTION MATERIALS - In any election to be conducted, proper and adequate training should be in place, sufficient materials should also be provided, in order to aid free and fair elections.
3. POLITICAL EDUCATION OF THE ELECTORATE - The electorate (voters) should be educated on their political rights, and also how to identify party symbols and the proper manner of voting.
4. INDEPENDENCE OF ELECTORAL COMMISSION - Government, political parties, and aspirant should not interfere with the conduct of the elections.
5. COUNTING OF VOTES - Votes must be counted under strict supervision, in order to avoid rigging of elections.
POSTED BY
ADENIYI FAITH. O
DEFINITION OF ELECTION, FUNCTIONS & MERITS AND DEMERITS
Reviewed by Unknown
on
January 26, 2018
Rating:
Reviewed by Unknown
on
January 26, 2018
Rating:
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