Voter Apathy

Voter apathy, a complacent attitude in which citizens do not cast a ballot during an election, is a growing phenomenon in many countries, including Nigeria. This behaviour can have significant effects on the political process and the democratic system, while simultaneously impeding the voices of many citizens.

Firstly, voter apathy threatens the ability of citizens to effectively exercise their right to vote. In Nigeria, the right to vote is firmly established in the Constitution, with (supposedly) unrestricted access for all citizens over 18 years of age. However, when citizens do not cast a ballot, their voices can no longer be heard due to their absence from the count.

Voter apathy also threatens representatives within the political system. When citizens do not cast a vote, the elected officials’ views do not accurately represent the views of the populace. This can have adverse effects on the nation, as the political decisions that are made may be at odds with the desires of the people. Furthermore, with less individual voter participation, there is an overproportionate influence of interest groups or lobby organizations that fund political campaigns or receive endorsements from politicians. This favours special interest groups and can further exacerbate political divisiveness and an imbalance of power within the political process.