COVID-19 Mutual Disabilities in Edo State Gubernatorial Electoral Process

Authors

  • O. Adisa School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
  • R. Asuelime School of Arts, College of Humanities, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2021.09.02.7

Keywords:

COVID-19, democracy, Edo, election, electoral justice, Nigeria, pandemic

Abstract

The conduct of elections in Nigeria is generally associated with manipulation, which has often undermined the credibility and fairness of the process since the country gained its independence. COVID-19 poses a very serious challenge to the electoral process, considering the nature of the disease, which has led to the promotion of limited physical interaction as an approach to mitigate its transmission and safeguard the health of the people while at the same time impacting negatively on state's electoral justice. While elections remain a key factor to the attainment of political positions in a democratic setting globally, several scholars and media reports have made attempts to assess the political intrigues in the state of Edo as a result of the tense atmosphere created by political gladiators. The use of the pandemic and various forms of propaganda to destabilise the camp of perceived opponents with the aim of winning public support are notable strategies employed by the main contending political parties and their candidates as the election approaches. Therefore, this article evaluates the impediments and political manoeuvrings in the electoral process in the state of Edo, considering the increasing number of corona-virus infections, the country's frail electoral system, and the desire to maintain credible democratic consolidation in the country.

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Published

2021-04-30

How to Cite

Adisa, O. ., & Asuelime, R. . (2021). COVID-19 Mutual Disabilities in Edo State Gubernatorial Electoral Process. Journal of Intellectual Disability - Diagnosis and Treatment, 9(2), 206–212. https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2021.09.02.7

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Section

General Articles