ELECTORAL SYSTEM AND CIVIL SERVICE

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FRANCHISE

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NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN BILL

● The Not Too Young To Run Bill was signed to law on the 31st May,

2018 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

● The law means the minimum age for presidential candidates is reduced

from 40 to 35, and state governors and senators from 35 to 30.

●
The minimum age for national and state assembly members will now be 25.

●
2. Residential qualifications

●
3. Payment of taxes

●
4. No criminal record

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5. Bankruptcy

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6. Educational qualification

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7. Sanity

● Note

● Women were enfranchised in the southern region of Nigeria in 1959

● Women in the northern region were enfranchised in 1976 but exercised

it in 1979.

● The first general election took place in 1959

THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM

● The whole process or procedure or method through which people elect

their representatives into the various political offices is simply called
electoral system

DEFINE ELECTORAL
SYSTEM IN YOUR
OWN WORDS

CHARACTERISTISTICS OF AN ELECTORAL

SYSTEM

● 1. Independent body

● 2. Constant/ periodic election

● 3. Universal adult suffrage

● 4. Independent judiciary

● 5. Counting of votes

● 6. Nomination of candidates for political parties

TYPES OF ELECTORAL SYSTEM

● 1. SINGLE-MEMBER CONSTITUENCY AND SINGLE VOTE: In this

system, the candidate that has the highest number of votes cast is
declared the winner in any given election. This system is also called
"first past the post or simple !majority system or plurality system". This
system is adopted in Britain, USA,Canada

2.SINGLE MEMBER AND SECOND BALLOT

● In this system, if no candidate received absolute majority in the first

round of election, a second one will be conducted but the candidate
with the least vote will either retire voluntarily or dropped by the
electoral body. It is practised in France.

SINGLE MEMBER WITH

PREFERENTIALPREFERENTIAL VOTE

● In this system the electorate are allowed to place the candidates in the

order of preference. The votes of the weaker candidate is distributed to
the stronger one accordingly.

4. PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION

● This is a method used to elect representatives into legislature. The total

number of votes which a party or group scores is calculated in
proportion to the total number of votes cast.Here, the essence of
system is to allocate seats in proportion to the votes cast in
multi-member constituencies.

There are two types of proportional

representation. These are:

● 1. The List System: The electorate vote for a list of candidates

presented by a political party and each party wins the number of seats
in that constituency according to the votes cast for that party list.

2. SINGLE TRANSFERABLE VOTES

● In this type of proportional representation all candidates in multi

-member constituencies are marked in order of preference by the
voters. To win an election in this case candidate must win the minimum
number of votes needed to win one of the seats while the surplus votes
are redistributed to

● other candidates according to the voters order of preference. However,

the weakest candidates are eliminated at this stage and their votes are
redistributed according to the voters order of choice, second, third,
fourth etc.

MERITS OF PROPORTIONAL

REPRESENTATION

● 1. It is democratic

● 2. It widens voters choice

● 3. It is a truly representative government

● 4. Equal weight

● 5. Principle of one man, one vote, one value is realistic

DEMERITS OF

PROPORTIONAL

REPRESENTATION
● 1. Complex electoral system

● 2. False assumption

● 3. Emergence of splinter groups

● 4. It reduces party discipline because representatives are representing

the interest of the electorate.

5. PLURALITY SYSTEM

● This system is based on single-member constituency where the

candidate who scores the highest number of votes is declared elected.
It is also called first past the post or simple majority system.

ADVANTAGES OF PLURALITY SYSTEM

● 1. The procedure of voting

● 2. It produces a winner after the first the first ballot

● 3. It is economical

● 4. It allows for political stability

● 5. It encourages the strengthening of party organisation

DISADVANTAGES OF PLURALITY SYSTEM

● 1. There is possibility of rigging

● 2. Inefficient and unpopular politicians may win election bidding under

the popularity of the party.

● 3. The system does not produce result that reflects the wishes of the

majority.

● 4. The system may enthrone a government that is not popular

SECOND BALLOT SYSTEM

● This system involves two ballot. At the first instance, the successful

candidate is required to obtain an absolute !majority of the votes
cast,(that is 50% plus one). If this was not obtained by any of the
candidates, a second ballot is required, and those having unacceptably
low result would be

● eliminated. The winning candidate is then required to obtain a simple

majority.

7. THE ALTERNATIVE

SYSTEM

● In alternative electoral system, each voter

is given the permission to indicate his
choice of candidates in order of
preferences first, second and third. If there
is no absolute majority, the candidate who
score least can be dropped and his vote
distributed to other candidates according
to the second preference of the voter.

8. ABSOLUTE MAJORITY SYSTEM

● In this type of electoral system, a candidate is expected to score more

than half of the total votes cast before he can be declared the winner.
This system was adopted in the general election of 1959 in Nigeria.

ADVANTAGES OF ABSOLUTE

MAJORITY SYSTEM

1.
It produces credible candidate

2.
No room for unpopular candidate

3.
It is a reflection of the wishes of the people.

DISADVANTAGES OF ABSOLUTE

MAJORITY SYSTEM

● 1. It is expensive and time consuming

● 2. It may lead to rigging of election results in order to secure the

required number of votes.

● 3. It is cumbersome :It is complicated as it involves a lot of calculations

and administrative bottlenecks.

● 4. It is not a good option where majority of the electorates are illiterate.

5. VOTERS’ APATHY: Voters whose candidate is eliminated in the first

ballot may not wish to participate in the second ballot leading to voters’
apathy.

6. UNNECESSARY DELAY: The result of the election is unnecessarily

delayed if a winner could not emerge after the first ballot.

7. TENSION AND VIOLENCE: Absolute majority system can lead to

political tension and violence.

9. THE REPEATED BALLOT

The repeated ballot is an electoral system in which voters vote

continuously with intervals for discussions and negotiations until a
winner emerges. This system is used in nominating the American
Presidential Candidate at the party’s convention/primary. The system is
also applicable when a new Pope is to be elected by a body of
cardinals.

CLASS ACTIVITY

SHARE ANY FIVE
TYPES OF
ELECTORAL SYSTEM

ELECTORAL CONSTITUENCY

An electoral constituency is simply an electoral district or an area from

which one or more members or representatives are elected into political
offices. The division of a country into constituencies is referred to as
delimitation and it makes for equality in the allocation of parliamentary
seats.

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE

DELIMITATION OF CONSTITUENCIES

Population

Minority interest
Administrative convenience
Geographical factors

Number of seats available
Historical and cultural background

TYPES OF CONSTITUENCIES

1. SINGLE-MEMBER CONSTITUENCY OR DISTRICT SYSTEM: It

requires the election of only one member into the legislature. Every
voter is only entitled to one vote. Nigeria adopts this for senatorial
elections

MERITS OF SINGLE-MEMBER

CONSTITUENCY

1.
Area which return members to the legislature is usually small enough

to enable candidates to be known in a simple and genuine way.

2.
Close touch with his constituency

3.
Simple and economical

4.
It is more democratic

5.
It encourages local talents

6. It provides stable majority in the legislature than multi-member system

7. It encourages active interest in the political process

DISADVANTAGES

1. Representation of local interest

2. GERRYMANDERING: This is the act of constructing the electoral district
in such a way as to give majority party more representatives than its voting
strength.

ELECTORAL MALPRACTICES

Electoral malpractices constitute any act or acts that is capable of derailing

the electoral process or processes.

CLASS ACTIVITY

Define election malpractices

CAUSES OF ELECTORAL MALPRACTICES

Poverty
Illiteracy

Ethnic influence

Extravagant spending

Over-ambition of politicians

Frustration

FORMS OF ELECTORAL

MALPRACTICES

1.
The use of fake ballot papers

2.
Underage voting

3.
Artificial scarcity of electoral material

4.
The use of thugs and intimidation

5.
Rigging of election results

6.
Fake manifestoes

Stealing of electoral material

CONSEQUENCES OF ELECTORAL

MALPRACTICES

1.
Aparthy

2.
Corrupt leadership

Autocratic leadership

3.
International sanction

Loss of lives and property

Military intervention

ELECTIONS

Elections are defined as the act of

electing candidates to represent the
people of a given country in the
public office as stated by the
constitution.

CLASS ACTIVITY

CREATE A FORMATION OF
TWO AND DISCUSS WHAT
YOU UNDERSTAND BY
ELECTION

FUNCTIONS OF ELECTIONS

● 1. Change of government
● 2. Election of representative
● 3. It ensures control and
accountability
● 4. To educate the electorate
● 5. Competition
● 6. Integration
● 7. Legitimacy

DEMERITS OF ELECTION

1.
Disunity

2.
Elections make for antagonistic groups

3.
Wastage of funds

4.
Election rigging

5.
Best materials may not be involved in the administration

6.
Marginalisation

TYPES OF ELECTIONS

1. Direct election
2. Indirect election
3. By-election
4. Run-off election or Second
Ballot
5. Primary election
6. Refrendum
7. Plebiscite
8. The process of recall

TYPES OF VOTING OR BALLOTING

1.
Open or public ballot

2.
Secret ballot

3.
Open-Secret ballot or option A4 ballot.

ELECTORAL COLLEGE

This is a group or body of elected representative who in turn come

together to elect people into political offices.

FREE AND FAIR ELECTION

Free and fair is an election

conducted according to the
principle to the principles and
rules of democracy.

CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR THE CONDUCT OF

A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION

● 1. Divided into constituencies

● 2. Preparation of voters register

● 3. Intimation of voters

● 4.Independence of electoral officers

● 5. Counting of votes

● 6. Voting by proxy

● 7. Revision of voter’s register

ELECTORAL COMMISSION

This is an independent and impartial body responsible for organising and

conducting elections in a political system. The first electoral body in
Nigeria was Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) 1979-1983.
Second was National Electoral Commission (NEC) 1993. Third is
Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) 1998 .

ELECTORAL OFFICIALS

1.
CHAIRMAN/ELECTORAL COMMISSIONERS: He moves around to

supervise the conduct of election

2.
RESIDENT/REGIONAL/SATE ELECTORAL OFFICER: This

supervises the conduct of elections at the state /regional levels.

3. RETURNING OFFICERS: They announce

results and declare winners at the polling
units and wards.

4. PRESIDING ASSISTANT/CLERK: They

assist the presiding officer by checking the list
of registered voters.

5. POLLING AGENTS/PARTY AGENTS: They

represent the candidates or political party at
the polling station or centre.

6. SECURITY OFFICERS/POLLING

ORDERLIES: They maintain law and order at
the polling station.

7. ELECTION OBSERVERS: They monitor the conduct of elections and

report on the freeness or otherwise of the elections.

8. SUPERVISORY/PRESIDING OFFICERS: They move from one polling

centre to another within the electoral wards, listening to the complaints
and settling minor disagreements arising from the polling units/centres.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 1:

CIVIL SERVICE

● The civil service is a department in the executive arm of government

that help in the formulation and implementation of government policies.
It is divided into departments called ministries.The political head or
chief executive of a ministry is either a minister or commissioner. The
Director –General(Permanent Secretary) is the administrative head or
the Accounting Officer of the ministry.

FEATURES OF CIVIL SERVICE

1.
Impartiality

2.
Permanence

3.
Anonymity

4.
Neutrality

5.
Expertise

6.
Merit

THE STRUCTURE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE

1.
ADMINISTRATIVE CLASS

2.
THE PROFESSIONAL CLASS

3.
THE EXECUTIVE CLASS

4.
THE CLERICAL CLASS

5.
MESSENGERIAL CLASS

FUNCTIONS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE

1.

Formulation of policies

2.

Implementation of policies

3.

Preparation of the budget

4.

They draft the budget

5.

They make bye-laws

6.

They advise the government

7.

They provide stability

8.

1.

Keeping of documents

2.

Quasi-judicial function

3.

revenue generation

4.

Handles correspondence

5.

They prepare answers to parliamentary question

MEASURES THAT CAN BE PUT IN PLACE THE

CIVIL SERVICE NON-PARTISAN

1.

Appointments

2.

Tenure of office

3.

The public/civil service commission

4.

Adherence to civil service rules

5.

Patronage and sponsor

6.

Resignation

7.

Civil education

8.

Condition of service

9.

Sanction

FACTORS THAT CAN HINDER THE

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IN

NIGERIA

1.
Low incentive

2.
Lukewarm attitude

3.
Red Tapism (Bureaucracy)

4.
Political interference

5.
Tribalism, nepotism and favouritism

6.
Political instability

7.
Bribery and corruption

8.
Over duplication of function

HOW TO ENSURE THE POLITICAL

NEUTRALITY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE

1.

Members of the civil service must abstain from
party politics

2.

To observe strict official secrecy

3.

The political executive should have limited
control over them

4.

Minister is responsible for success/failure of the
service

5.

Participation in politics

6.

Merit

7.

Neutral body

8.

Faithfulness and openness

CONTROL OF THE CIVIL SERVICE

1.
Civil service commission control

2.
Ministry of finance control

3.
Parliamentary control

4.
Executive control

5.
Hierarchical structure and control

6.
Legal/ judicial control

7.
Ombudsman (Public Compliants Commission )

BUREAUCRACY

It is a pattern of administration involving

government departments in which
complicated official routine is observed in the
conduct of public affairs and in the activities of
public officials. It is laying much emphasis on
issues that demand urgent attention.

Bureaucracy is associated with inefficiency, lack

of initiative, unnecessary rigidity in the
approach to public problems but to some
extent these problems are inseparable from
administration because it is a process and an
element of administration.

CAUSES OF BUREAUCRACY

1.

Service rendered in most modern and democratic states
are complex which involve formulation , implementation of
rules and regulations as well as division of labour. All
these are hierarchical (system of persons or things
arranged in graded order.)

2.

Another cause is the issue of accountability

3.

There is a close relationship between size of an
organization and bureaucracy.

4.

Issue of specialisation

5.

Organisation

ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF

BUREAUCRACY

1. It is seen as indispensable and ensures efficiency especially

in large organisation.

2. It is a necessary instrument in areas of adequate planning,

control and even implementation.

3. It makes for strict adherence to rules and regulations

governing most institutions or organisation.

4. It produces some level of competence on the part of a

worker.

THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

● This is an independent body with members holding office based on

good behaviour and is set up by the government and entrusted with the
duty of recruiting men into the service by open competition
supplemented by interview in some cases. It is headed by a
chairman.He is appointed by the president.

FUNCTIONS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE

COMMISSION

1.

Recruitment

2.

Transfer

3.

Promotion

4.

Discipline

5.

Retirement

6.

Dismissal

7.

Conditions of service

8.

Advice

9.

Efficiency and integrity

OMBUDSMAN

• Ombudsman is a government institution established

to examine complaints of inefficient administration,
corruption and unjustified treatment by over-zealous
public authorities or officials against citizens. It is
also called Public Complaint Commission. It was
introduced in Sweden in 1809. Norway, New
Zealand, Finland, Denmark, Great Britain, etc, have
this institution in place. It was established in Nigeria
in October, 1975.

FUNCTIONS/IMPORTANCE OF OMBUDSMAN

1.

Problems and complaints

2.

Cases of bad administration

3.

Rights and liberty

4.

Prosecution

5.

Corrupt practices

6.

Restraining factor

7.

They conduct investigation

8.

Infringement

9.

Monitoring

10.

Efficient discharge of duties

LIMITATION TO THE POWERS OF OMBUDSMAN

1. No power to enforce issues
2. It cannot investigate the activities of top

officials in government

3. No power to question
4. Secrecy

PUBLIC CORPORATION

• A public corporation is defined as

government establishment or enterprise set
up by an Act of Parliament to provide
essential services like electricity, postal
services, pipe borne water etc.

FEATURES OF PUBLIC CORPORATION

1. Essential services
2. Owned by government
3. Board of directors
4. Independent decisions
5. Conditions of service
6. Public servant
7. Created by special Act
8. They have legal standing

REASONS FOR SETTING UP PUBLIC

CORPORATION

1.

Provision of essential services

2.

To prevent exploitation

3.

Huge capital involvement

4.

Provision of employment

5.

Foreign control

6.

Strategic project

7.

Propaganda

8.

Revenue generation

FUNCTIONS OF PUBLIC CORPORATION

1.

To provide essential services

2.

To prevent undue exploitation

3.

Strategic project

4.

Revenue generation

5.

Promote economic development

6.

To provide employment

7.

It requires huge capital involvement

THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF

A PUBLIC CORPORATION

1. Political head
2. The chairman
3. The Board of Directors/Governing board
4. The managing Director/ General manager
5. Key senior officials

CONTROL OF PUBLIC CORPORATIONS

1. LEGISLATIVE CONTROL: Public

corporations are set up through the Act of
parliament. The legislature could control
the public corporations in the following
ways:

i.

Auditing: the accounts of the corporations
are regularly audited by a body set up by
the legislature.

ii. Summoning of officials: the legislature can

ask any official to appear before it, if there
are allegations of wrong doing.

iii. Deficient and unproductive: Any

corporation that is deficient and productive
could be scrapped by the legislature.

2. MINISTERIAL CONTROL

1. Dissolution of the board of directors
2. Appointment and dismissal of senior

officials

3. Approval of loan and expenditure
4. Auditing
5. Issuing of directives

3. JUDICIAL CONTROL: They declare

actions of the public corporation that
contradicts the law ultra vire.

i.

Denial of service

4. FINANCE CONTROL
i. FINANCE: Most public corporation depend

largely on government for allocations to
meet their running costs. Such fund could
be withheld by government.

ii. Budget: The senior officials of the

corporation could be questioned before the
legislative committee.

iii. Annual report: Annual reports of public

corporations are presented to the parliament
for security.

PRIVATISATION

Privatization is a policy of the government

created to afford individuals, corporate
bodies, the opportunity to take over
ownership and control of government
enterprises, companies.

REASONS FOR PRIVATISATION

1. To introduce efficient management
2. Individual participation
3. More revenue for the government
4. Unproductive industries
5. Industrial autonomous
6. Consumer’s choice

MERITS OF PRIVATISATION

1. Efficiency in management
2. Innovations
3. Consumers’ choice
4. Increase in revenue
5. Competition

DEMERITS OF PRIVATISATION

1. The masses
2. Income not evenly distributed
3. Profit maximization
4. Strike or demonstration
5. Neglect in consumer’s welfare scheme
6. Reduction in labour force

COMMERCIALISATION

• This is a state policy of making its

companies, enterprises, parastatals, etc more
efficient and even more profit oriented. It
enables companies come up with efficient
management of resources.

DEREGULATION

• Deregulation is the process of removing

state regulation. It is a reduction or
elimination of government power in a
particular industry, usually to create more
competition with the industry.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Local government may be defined as a

government established through the Act at
the local level and to deal with specific
matter as it affects them. The essence of
local government creation is to involve local
participation in the affairs of their country.

POWERS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

1. Making of bye-laws

2. Power to punish offenders

3. Imposition of levy

REASONS FOR THE CREATION OF LOCAL

GOVERNMENT

1. Bringing government nearer to the people

2. Local participation

3. Diverse interests

4. Employment

5. Community development

6. Even development

FUNCTIONS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

1. Provision of the health centres

2. Naming of streets

3. Maintenance of some institution

4. Registration

5. Formulation of policies

6. Registration

7. Management of primary education
8. Maintenance of law and order
9. Provision of correctional centres
10. Collection of rates, radio and television
license

SOURCES OF REVENUE FOR LOCAL
GOVERNMENT

1. Allocation from the federation accounts

2. Grants

3. Commercial ventures

4. Court fines

5. Donations and gifts

6. Royalties

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STATE/FEDERAL AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
1. Allocation from the federation account
2. Grants
3. Approval loans
4. Auditing
5. Local government are created through an Act of

Parliament

6. Amendment of law
7. Enactment of bye laws

CONTROL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

1. Dissolution of local government
2. Auditing
3. Judicial control
4. Withholding of grants
5. Monitoring the activities of local government
6. Specific functions
7. Amendment of constitution
8. Public control
9. Approval of loan

IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

1. Political education
2. Feelings of insecurity
3. Development
4. Governance
5. Law and order
6. Quick decision
7. Making of bye laws
8. Job opportunities

PROBLEMS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

1. Shortage of trained personnel
2. Political interference
3. Embezzlement of public fund
4. Political victimization
5. Tribalism, nepotism and favouritism
6. Low incentive
7. Acute shortage of fund
8. Bribery and corruption

SUGGESTED SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS
OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

1. Improvement on method of revenue generation
2. In-service training
3. Allocation from federal accounts to local government
4. Provision of grants
5. Auditing
6. Access to loan
7. The activities of local government
8. More avenues for revenue generation
9. Provision of enough fund