Effect of Currency Redesign Policy on 2023 General Elections in Nigeria (Published)
This survey study discussed the reasons for the currency redesign, reasons for its resistance, and steps taken to address concerns of Nigerians. The study also examined the effect of the policy on the 2023 general elections. There were in-depth interviews with twenty (20) Key Informants from political parties, officials of Central and some Commercial Banks, INEC, civil society groups, academics, and security agents across Nigeria. Secondary data was from CBN Act, government and newspapers publications. The study revealed that the policy was to control insecurity, regulate monetary flow; and prevent vote buying. New notes scarcity, sabotage, and lateness of former president Buharis’s national broadcast caused resistance against the new currency. Government shifted old notes deadline twice, extended the use of #200 notes, and directed security agencies to prosecute currency hawkers. The study concluded that the policy was good but untimely.
Keywords: General Elections, Vote Buying, currency redesign, electoral process, legal tender
Incentives and Decisions: Voters’ Knowledge of the Laws on Vote Buying and its Implications for Ghana’s Democracy (Published)
This paper sought to investigate whether the incentives given to voters affect voters’ decisions at the polls. It also looks at whether Ghanaians are conversant with the laws and legislations on elections and for that matter vote buying. The mixed method approach with explanatory sequential design was employed for the study. The population for the study comprised the entire group of potential voters in the Shama District in the Western Region who are 18 years and above. Probability and non-probability sampling methods were employed to select the sample of district, communities and respondents for the study. Data from questionnaire was triangulated with interviews. The Pearson Chi-Square was used in finding significant differences. The p-value is the probability for showing differences and a critical value of alpha=.05 was adopted for sig differences in the statistical analysis. It was concluded that the economic status or the income level of electorates has no effects on decisions about the person to vote for. There is a relationship between vote buying incentives and voters’ decisions. This makes incentives effective in winning votes.it was therefore recommended that the governments should make it a point to reduce poverty by enhancing wealth redistribution by creating or providing jobs especially for the rural folks.
Keywords: Democracy, Ghana, Vote Buying, Voting Incentives, electoral laws, voters