An election may be defined as an act of choosing or selecting candidates into different offices in government. The candidates are to represent the people of a country in the parliament or in other positions of government. It is a contest between competing political parties or groups to acquire political power through the ballot i.e. electorate’s mandate.
Meaning of Suffrage
Suffrage is the right to vote. Most countries allow citizens to vote once they are legally an adult. In the past not all people were allowed to vote. In general, most countries today do not stop people of a different race or sex from voting
Evolution/Development of Suffrage
Suffrage, in representative government, the right to vote in electing public officials and adopting or rejecting proposed legislation. The history of the suffrage, or franchise, is one of gradual extension from limited, privileged groups in society to the entire adult population. Nearly all modern governments have provided for universal adult suffrage. It is regarded as more than a privilege extended by the state to its citizenry; it is rather thought of as an inalienable right that inheres to every adult citizen by virtue of citizenship. In democracies it is the primary means of ensuring that governments are responsible to the governed.
The basic qualifications for suffrage are similar everywhere, although there are minor variations from country to country. Usually only the adult citizens of a country are eligible to vote there, the minimum age varying from 18 to 25 years. Most governments insist also on the voter’s affiliation to a certain locality or constituency. The insane, certain classes of convicted criminals, and those punished for certain electoral offenses are generally barred from the suffrage.
Before the evolution of universal suffrage, most countries required special qualifications of their voters. In 18th- and 19th-century Britain, for instance, there was a property or income qualification, the argument being that only those who had a stake in the country should be allowed a voice in its public affairs. At one time, only men qualified for the suffrage. Many newly independent countries of Asia and Africa, during the transition from colony to self-government, had a literacy qualification for the suffrage. Some countries limit it to certain racial or ethnic groups. Thus, for example, South Africa, at one time, and the Old South of the United States did not permit their black populations to vote.
In Nigeria, the right to vote has developed from the colonial period during which elections in Lagos and Calabar were based on property, educational qualifications and the social status of citizens. These criteria determined those who could vote and be voted for. Increasingly, the base of the franchise was broadened to accommodate all qualified adult citizens. This is known as universal franchise.
TYPES OF SUFFRAGE
1. Adult Suffrage: This involves the voting of adults (men and women), having the qualification.
2. Male Suffrage: This is a system whereby only adult male are allowed to vote.
3. Tax-Payers Suffrage: This is a system whereby only those who have been paying their taxes constantly can only vote.
4. Property Suffrage: In this type of suffrage, only those with enormous assets and wealth are allowed to vote.
Meaning of Franchise
Franchise may be defined as the right of qualified adult citizens of a given society to vote and be voted for in an election. The voters are constitutionally called electorate while those seeking to be elected are called candidates.
FUNCTIONS/ADVANTAGES OF ELECTIONS
Elections are held to serve the following functions;
a. Choosing of Representatives: Elections makes it possible for the citizens to choose those that will represent their interest and opinions in the government.
b. Smooth Change of Government: Elections are used to change a government smoothly and orderly.
c. It brings about Legitimate Government: Elections confer legitimacy on the government as representatives of the people
d. Create a Responsive Government: Election makes the government responsive to the needs of the people since it can be voted out
e. Educate the people: Elections give the political parties the opportunity to educate the people on national issues.
f. To Test Popularity of Government: Elections are used to test the popularity of the government or a member of parliament.
g. It brings Unity: Elections help to integrate the different societies.
DEMERITS OF ELECTIONS
a. It Breeds Disunity: Elections bring about division of the people of a country into unfriendly groups.
b. It Create Division: The division of people in a country caused by election brings about disunity in a country.
c. It is Costly: Elections are too expensive to conduct.
d. It neglects the Voice of the minority: Minority groups are usually not favored during elections.
e. It leads to Unequal Development: Elections cause uneven development as a result of neglect of areas that failed to vote for the party in power.
f. It leads to the emergence of bad leaders: Elections enthrone politicians who deceive the people with their fake manifestoes and sugar-coated tongue.
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