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Survey
Attitudes Toward Democracy and Markets in Nigeria: Report of a National Opinion Survey, January - February 2000
A national sample survey on “Attitudes toward Democracy and Markets” was conducted in Nigeria in January-February 2000 by the International Foundation for Election Systems, in collaboration with Management Systems International. Research and Marketing Services, based in Lagos, conducted the fieldwork, assisted with the sampling methods and processed questionnaire data. Drs. Peter Lewis (American University) and Michael Bratton (Michigan State University) directed survey design, oversaw implementation and analyzed survey results. Funding for the survey was provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development. The purpose of the present study is to find out what ordinary Nigerians think about recent political and economic developments. As a guiding theme, we asked: “Do Nigerians support democracy and markets?” The study was designed as a national sample survey, meaning that we posed the same set of questions to a small sample of the population who were selected to represent the adult population of Nigeria as a whole. The target population for the survey was citizens of Nigeria, namely persons at least 18 years old and eligible to vote. To draw a representative cross-section of the voting age population, a random sample was designed. The survey covered all six informal geopolitical regions of the country, including 22 of the 36 states, with the number of interviews in each region being proportional to the region's population size. To adapt the questionnaire to local conditions, we translated the English version into six local languages: Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Kanuri, Tiv, and Ijaw. All interviews were administered in the language of the respondent's choice. The survey questionnaire reproduced several items that had been asked in previous surveys in Nigeria and in other countries, so as to provide a basis for comparing Nigeria with other African nations as well as other regions of the world.
March 31, 2004
Election Material
Civic Education Material
I vote for the first time: Educational Workshop for High School Seniors
This Croatian document explains a program encouraging voting that was conducted in select high schools. The program explained the electoral system, the political party system, and the various bodies of government. The document also proposes expanding this program to the rest of the country.
Publication
Report/Paper
Political Money and Political Corruption: Considerations for Nigeria
November 28, 2003
Publication
Report/Paper
Promoting Electoral Access for Citizens with Disabilities: Considerations for Nigeria, INEC-Civil Society Forum Seminar on Agenda for Electoral Reform, 27-28 November 2003, Abuja, Nigeria
The right to participate in and stand for election is a fundamental human right. According to Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: “Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in Article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions: (a) To take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives’ (b) To vote and be elected at genuine periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors; (c) To have access, on general terms of equality, to public service in his country.” The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights sets an international standard for the conduct of the elections and the right of participation in that process. In reviewing the Constitutional and legal framework of Nigeria’s electoral process, it is important to ensure that this framework meets international standards, while taking into account the nation’s experience and political and social environment. The right of participation of “every citizen” is one that must be guaranteed by law and by the way the electoral process is conducted. In Nigeria, citizens with disabilities face legal as well as practical barriers to equal participation in the electoral process. However, this electoral review affords the opportunity to ensure that the rights of citizens with disabilities are protected by law and by practice. There is no reliable data on how many of Nigeria’s approximately 120 million citizens live with some sort of physical or mental disability. Nigerian census officials last submitted statistics on disability to the United Nations over 12 years ago, estimating at that time that .5 percent of the population was disabled. This figure is not comparable to the international norm and is a severe under-estimate. In the United States, at least 6% of population has some form of obvious disability – is blind or visually impaired; deaf; a wheelchair user or has an intellectual disability. However, with Nigeria’s incidence of polio, nutritional problems and difficulties with access to healthcare, the percentage of Nigerians with obvious disabilities is likely to be higher – perhaps 10% or more. With an estimated population of 120 million, that would be more than 12 million citizens with disabilities – half of whom are of voting age, at least some 6 million people. This, of course, does not take into account persons with hidden or even undiagnosed disabilities, such as learning disabilities, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, etc. Section 17(2) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution states that “every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before law.” Do the Constitutional and legal provisions governing the conduct of elections guarantee this right for those Nigerian citizens with disabilities? Are Nigerians with disabilities able to equally participate in and stand for election?
November 26, 2003
Publication
Report/Paper
Reforming Critical Operational Strategies: INEC Post-Election Seminar, "2003 General Elections: The Lessons and the Way Forward" 28-30 July 2003
Constitutional provisions, electoral legislation, regulations and the policies and the administrative framework of the electoral management body all govern the means by which elections are conducted. Providing an opportunity for all eligible voters to choose their government representatives, through operations that are cost-effective, credible and secure is a major challenge for election management bodies. In reviewing the operational strategies of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria in its conduct of the 2003 federal and state elections, it is necessary to examine the major areas of its operational approach. In any electoral environment, there are similar key issues for which effective solutions have to be found if election operations are to promote public confidence in the integrity and professionalism of electoral management, and acceptance of election results. Some questions to ask in conducting this review are: 1. What are the most suitable arrangements for voter registration and for voting? 2. What are the ways to ensure that registration centres and polling stations are run by trained and professional staff? 3. What materials can be used to ensure the credibility of the process? 4. What are the logistics strategies, to ensure the necessary materials are available and that the operations run efficiently? INEC’s operational strategies, within the legislative and administrative framework, dictate how the elections are conducted, and whether their outcome will be accepted by the participants. If the operational strategies are successful, all eligible voters have the opportunity to participate fully in the process; registration centres and polling stations open on time and the periods of operations are respected; materials are adequately supplied and properly used; all necessary registration and election staff are present and conduct their duties according to the law and regulations; and the election results are compiled in a transparent manner, announced in a timely fashion and accepted, leading to the inauguration of the newly-elected officials. Shortcomings in the operational strategies lessen the credibility of the electoral process and in confidence of the electoral management body, paving the way for future difficulties with regard to respect for the conduct of elections and the democratic process as a whole.
July 27, 2003
Election Material
Civic Education Material
GONG's Campaign
“GONG’s Campaign,” a feature located in the Croatian Jutarnji newspaper, provides articles outlining the responsibilities of the GONG education in the field of voter education and awareness. In preparation for the 2003 parliamentary elections, this feature contains the legal framework of Croatian elections as well as general information regarding the elections.
Election Material
Constitution
Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 16) Bill, 2000 Departmental Draft
Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 16) Bill, 2000 Departmental Draft establishes an anti-corruption commission.
Publication
Report/Paper
Learning How to Make Democracy Work: The IFES Project in Ghana Midterm Evaluation
This report serves as a midterm report on progress towards decentralized democratic governance in Ghana and the implementation of Project ECSELL (Enhancing Civil Society Effectiveness at the Local Level). This report focuses on two IFES programs; communications training and capacity building.
May 31, 1999
Publication
Report/Paper
Report on the Impact of IFES Activities in Nigeria, November 1998 to April 1999
This report describes IFES’ activities in Nigeria and the impact of IFES technical assistance to the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and the Center for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) voter education project.
May 26, 1999
Publication
Report/Paper
Rapport de l AAEA et de l IFES sur l observation des elections de transition au Nigeria (December 1998 - February 1999)
Ce rapport est base sur les constatations des observateurs a long terme de l'IFES, sur place au Nigeria de novembre 1998 a avril 1999, et sur les missions AAEA/IFES visant a observer trois des quatre élections de transition: les élections des gouvernements locaux du 5 décembre 1998, celles de l'Assemblée nationale du 20 février 1999 et l'élection présidentielle du 27 février 1999 (des délègues de l'IFES ont observe les élections des Etats du 9 janvier).
March 28, 1999