Factors Informing the Voting Behaviour of Teaching Staff of Egbeoba High School Ikole- Ekiti in 2018 Ekiti Gubernatorial Election
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Abstract
Since the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999, politics in
Ekiti State has been characterised by swings in political and
electoral behaviour in support of the two rival political parties.
This has made the political terrain of the state unpredictable
in respect of voters’ attitude during elections. This study
examines the factors that influenced voting behaviour of the
electorates in 2018 governorship election in Ekiti State. It
also examines the interplay between the campaign promises
and voters’ participation during the election. The study further
ascertains whether party identification and gratification have
an overriding influence on voting pattern in the 2018
governorship election. Data was obtained from both primary
and secondary sources. Focus Group Discussions were used
to sample the opinion of a secondary school teaching staff
who are residents in Ikole-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Primary data
gathered were analysed, using content-analysis method. The
study discovered that campaign promises increased voters’
turnout and stimulated voting behaviour while vote-buying
increased voter turnout but changes voters’ choice. It was also discovered that militarisation of the election has a less
significant role to play in voting patterns.This study
recommends that vote-buying should be discouraged as it
affects democracy by producing candidates that are not
credible.
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