Research Article
Nijerya’da Seçim İle İlgili Şiddetin Yönetimi: 2023 Genel Seçimlerinde Teknoloji Kullanımına Odaklanma
Abstract
Seçimlerle ilgili Bimodal Seçmen Kimlik Doğrulama Sistemi (BVAS) ve INEC Sonuç Görüntüleme (IReV) portalı gibi teknolojik yeniliklerin getirilmesine rağmen, Nijerya’nın 2023 genel seçimleri hala sürekli seçim şiddetiyle gölgelendi. Bu teknolojiler şeffaflığı ve güvenilirliği artırmayı ve suistimali azaltmayı amaçlıyordu. Bu çalışma, Akwa Ibom Eyaletinde seçimlerle ilgili şiddeti azaltmada bu teknolojilerin uygulanmasını eleştirel bir şekilde inceledi. Analitik çerçeve olarak hayal kırıklığı-saldırganlık teorisini kullanan araştırma, nitel bir yaklaşım benimsemiş ve tematik analiz gerçekleştirmiştir. Bulgular, siyasi rekabet, adaylar ve destekçileri tarafından gerçekleştirilen zorbalık ve sindirme eylemlerinin, özellikle muhalefetin hakim olduğu bölgelerde şiddetin başlıca nedenleri olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Bu eylemler bir korku ortamı yaratmış ve seçmen katılımını önemli ölçüde azaltmıştır. BVAS ve IReV, seçimlerin dürüstlüğünü teşvik etmek için tasarlanmış olsa da, güvenilirlik sorunları ve halkın güven eksikliği nedeniyle etkinlikleri tehlikeye girmiştir. Çalışma, teknolojik yeniliklerin tek başına sistemik demokratik eksiklikleri gidermek için yeterli olmadığı sonucuna varmıştır. Seçim şiddetinin ve teknolojik sabotajın faillerini soruşturmak, tutuklamak ve yargılamak için savcılık yetkisine sahip bağımsız bir “Seçim Suçları Komisyonu” kurulmasını önermektedir. Hesap verebilirliğin sağlanması, cezasızlığın sona erdirilmesi, hukukun üstünlüğünün güçlendirilmesi ve Nijerya’da daha güvenilir ve barışçıl bir demokratik sürecin inşa edilmesi için hayati önem taşımaktadır.
References
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- Oyewole, L. E., & Jamiu, M. S. (2023). Political conflict and electoral violence in Nigeria: Implications on national security. African Journal of Politics and Administrative Studies (AJPAS), 16(2), 442–452. [CrossRef]
- Samuel, I. E. (2023). The effects of electoral malpractices on Nigeria democratic consolidation (1999–2013). Public Policy and Administration Research, 4(2), 49–51.
- Wallace, J., Kundnani, H., & Donnely, E. (2021, April 14). The importance of democracy. Chatham House. https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021/04/importance-democracy
- Ware, A. (2022). Citizens, parties and the state. Princeton University Press.
- Wilkinson, S. I. (2004). Votes and violence: Electoral competition and ethnic riots in India. Cambridge University Press.
Managing Election-Related Violence in Nigeria: Focus on the Use of Technologies in the 2023 General Elections
Abstract
Election-related Despite the introduction of technological innovations such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, Nigeria’s 2023 general elections were still marred by persistent electoral violence. These technologies aimed to enhance transparency, credibility, and reduce malpractice. This study critically examined their application in mitigating election-related violence in Akwa Ibom State. Using the frustration-aggression theory as its analytical framework, the research adopted a qualitative approach and conducted thematic analysis. Findings revealed that political rivalry, thuggery, and intimidation by candidates and their supporters were major drivers of violence, especially in opposition-dominated areas. These acts created a climate of fear and significantly reduced voter turnout. Although BVAS and IReV were designed to promote electoral integrity, their effectiveness was compromised by reliability issues and a lack of public trust. The study concludes that technological innovations alone are insufficient in addressing systemic democratic deficits. It recommends the establishment of an independent “Electoral Offences Commission” with prosecutorial powers to investigate, arrest, and prosecute perpetrators of electoral violence and technological sabotage. Enforcing accountability is crucial to ending impunity, strengthening the rule of law, and building a more credible and peaceful democratic process in Nigeria.
References
- REFERENCES
- Abang, T. A., Asangausung, O. S., & Mboho, K. S. (2025). Kidnapping in selected coastal communities of Akwa Ibom State: Causes, effects and effectiveness of preventive strategies. AKSU Journal of Social Sciences (AKSUJOSS), 5(2), 30–54. [CrossRef]
- Adebayo, K. (2022, June 27). Nigeria’s deadly history of electoral violence in five charts. Human Angle Media. https://humanglemedia.com/nigerias-deadly-history-of-electoral-violence-in-five-charts/
- Ajoku, G., & Adigwe, O. P. (2022). Causes and effects of election related violence in Nigeria: Findings of an empirical study. African Journal of Democracy and Election Research, 2(2), 37–57. [CrossRef]
- Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission [AKISIEC]. (2024). Voter’s register in Akwa Ibom State. https://www.iec.ak.gov.ng/
- Asangausung, O. S., & Brown, A. S. (2025). Corruption, national security and development in Nigeria. In C. S. Akpan, M. E. Dickson, & O. E. Atakpa (Eds.), Governance and development challenges in the 21st century (pp.
- 424–444). D & A Media and Print Services.
- Asangausung, O. S., Gboyeka, A. E., & Okorie, E. J. (2021). Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and human rights violation in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. International Organisation of Scientific Research Journal of Humanities and Social Science (IOSRJHSS), 26(2), 29–38.
- Asuquo, M. E., & Ekanem, A. E. (2023). Implications of violence on Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. International Journal of Culture and Society, 1(2), 105–117.
- Bassey, H. E., & Asangausung, O. S. (2023). Criminal justice actors and violations of human rights in Nigeria (2018–2023). Ibom Journal of Social Issues, 12(1), 33–41.
- Bassey, H. E., Asangausung, O. S., & Udousoro, T. E. (2024). Social forces militating against effective performance of security agencies in Nigeria. Ibom Journal of Social Issues, 13(1), 9–14.
- Clement, P. S. (2022, December 4). What you should know about Electoral Act, 2022. Daily Trust. https://dailytrust.com/what-you-should-know-about-electoral-act-2022/
- Collier, P., & Vicente, P. C. (2014). Votes and violence: Evidence from a field experiment in Nigeria. The Economic Journal, 124(574), F327–F355. [CrossRef]
- Davis, F. D. (1986). A technology acceptance model for empirically testing new end-user information systems: Theory and results [Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology]. Sloan School of Management.
- Dunoma, Y. A., & Benisheikh, B. I. S. (2023). An overview of the Electoral Act, 2022. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 7(5), 1505–1522. [CrossRef]
- Elechi, F. A., Uchenna, N. D., & Kenedy, O. (2023). Politicization of the security agencies and its implication on the electoral processes: 2019 general elections in perspective. African Journal of Politics and Administrative Studies (AJPAS), 16(2), 469–493. [CrossRef]
- Höglund, K. (2009). Electoral violence in conflict-ridden societies: Concepts, causes, and consequences. Terrorism and Political Violence, 21(3), 412–427. [CrossRef]
- Ifedi, F. O., Ngwu, E. C., & Nnamani, R. G. (2023). Election and security challenges: Critical issues in Nigeria’s 2023 general election. University of Nigeria Journal of Political Economy (UNJPE), 13(1), 116–136.
- Iguh, E., & Onah, I. (2023). Socio-legal implications of the adoption of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for credible elections in Nigeria. African Journal of Law and Human Rights (AJLHR), 7(2), 1–6.
- Kassem, S. D., & Osasona, S. H. (2021). Smart card reader and election credibility in Nigeria’s fourth republic. Zamfara Journal of Politics and Development, 2(2), 1–10.
- Law of the Federation. (2022). Electoral Act 2022. Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- Moliki, A. O., & Oluwatobi, P. A. (2023). 2023 general elections, political violence and national integration in Nigeria: A study of Lagos State experience. Wukari International Studies Journal, 7(4), 72–83.
- Nickerson, C. (2023). Frustration-aggression hypothesis. https://www.simplypsychology.org/frustration- aggression-hypothesis.html
- Nkwede, J. O., Ibeogu, S., & Nwankwo, O. (2014). Political godfatherism and governance in a developing democracy: Insight from Nigeria. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 3(4), 137–143. [CrossRef]
- Ofomiyoan, O. R. W., & Ikenga, A. F. (2023). The effect of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) on elections credibility in Nigeria: A study of 2021 Anambra State election, Nigeria. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 4(9), 655–660.
- Ogbonna, C. E. (2024). An assessment of voters’ turnout in the 2023 presidential election: A case study of the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory [Master’s dissertation, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies/University of Benin]. https://ir.nilds.gov.ng/bitstream/handle/123456789/1574/
- Okundia, H. L. (2022). Independent National Electoral Commission and use of electronic devices in the conduct of election in Nigeria: A focus on the 2020 governorship election in Edo State [Master’s dissertation, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies/University of Benin]. https://ir.nilds.gov.ng/bitstream/handle/123456789/996/
- Ola, A. A. (2018). Electoral violence and arms proliferation in Nigeria: Causes, consequences and way forward. African Journal of Stability and Development (AJSD), 11(2), 446–459. [CrossRef]
- Oyewole, L. E., & Jamiu, M. S. (2023). Political conflict and electoral violence in Nigeria: Implications on national security. African Journal of Politics and Administrative Studies (AJPAS), 16(2), 442–452. [CrossRef]
- Samuel, I. E. (2023). The effects of electoral malpractices on Nigeria democratic consolidation (1999–2013). Public Policy and Administration Research, 4(2), 49–51.
- Wallace, J., Kundnani, H., & Donnely, E. (2021, April 14). The importance of democracy. Chatham House. https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021/04/importance-democracy
- Ware, A. (2022). Citizens, parties and the state. Princeton University Press.
- Wilkinson, S. I. (2004). Votes and violence: Electoral competition and ethnic riots in India. Cambridge University Press.
There are 33 citations in total.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Political Communication |
| Journal Section | Makaleler |
| Authors | |
| Early Pub Date | June 30, 2025 |
| Publication Date | June 30, 2025 |
| Submission Date | April 23, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | June 14, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 11 Issue: 1 |