ELECTORAL VIOLENCE AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Nigeria's electoral system and process has been characterized by irregularities, rigging, destruction of lives and properties of opposing groups, and other demonstration of characters that ridicule cardinal objective of democracy, all in a bid to influence outcome of elections for personal gains. This paper examines electoral violence and national development in Nigeria. The paper adopted the descriptive analytical approach. This study found out that electoral violence is seen as a strategy for employment during elections and the use of weapons during elections have an aftermath effect on the national development. The researchers made some recommendations. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has to take conscious and strategic actions against electoral violence in Nigeria, appropriate security network and intelligence should be organized to monitor electoral activities of the country to mitigate incidences of violence. The Independent National Electoral Commission should conduct free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria while the political parties and their candidates should ensure strict compliance with electoral regulations of the country.