The Factors that Cause the Low Participation of Presidential and Vice-Presidential Election in the 2019 General Election in Pamurus Urban Village, South Banjarmasin Sub District – Banjarmasin City (Published)
Political participation of the community in elections is very important in the democratic process. In general, the number of voters participating in the 2019 presidential and vice-presidential elections increased from 2014. The increase was from 69.58% to 81%. However, an interesting thing happened in Pamurus Urban Village, Banjarmasin District – the Banjarmasin City. The number of voter participation in the kelurahan can be said to be still low. For this reason, this study aims to identify the factors causing the low number of voter participation in the 2019 presidential and vice-presidential elections in Pamurus Urban Village. This research was conducted using a qualitative method with a descriptive approach. Data collected through interviews, observations, and documentation. Initial informants were selected by purposive sampling technique. Next, it will be determined by “snowball sampling”. The data collected was analyzed using an interactive analysis model consisting of three stages, namely data reduction, data display, and drawing conclusion/verification. The results of this study indicate that the factors causing the low number of voter participation in the 2019 presidential and vice-presidential elections are as follows: (1) internal voter factors, such as the technical and employment issues, and (2) external factors related to administration, socialization, and politics. It is hoped that the results of this study can be utilized for consideration in formulating efforts to increase the number of voter participation in the presidential and vice-presidential elections in 2024.
Keywords: General Election, Political Participation, presidential election, vice-presidential election
Political Participation and Gender Inequality in Nigerian Fourth Republic (Published)
Women’s participation in politics is a contentious issue in the Nigerian political life. Over the years marginalization has characterized women participation in politics due to various inhibiting social, cultural and religious forces. These forces affected women’s perception of politics leading to a very low level of political interest, knowledge and activities of women in politics. Nigeria politics became male – dominated almost making the women virtually politically invisible. However, various moves to inculcate skills and knowledge that will liberate women from abject poverty (socially, economically and politically) are on. These will go a long way to increase and improve women participation in politics in Nigeria. Women are believed to have an exciting political prospect in Nigeria. The issue of inequality has therefore been perceived by different people especially the women folk as an attempt to erode their fundamental rights. In short, Women Participation in Nigerian politics is a topic of importance. Politically, women have been relegated to the background, despite the tremendous effort put forward by government and non-governmental organizations following the declaration made at the fourth World Conference on women in Beijing, which advocated 30% affirmative action and National Gender Policy (NGP) recommendation of 35% affirmative action for a more inclusive representation of women both in elective and appointive positions. It is worthy to note as revealed by this paper, that Nigerian women are still being marginalized due to the style of leadership inherent in the country. Despite the challenges women are facing, it was discovered that women activism and advocacy, education of women, positivity on the part of successive governments towards women empowerment and interest of women to participate in politics is getting a lot of positive energy. It is therefore, an indication that the participation of women in politics has a bright future. But, this is not without that, relevant stakeholders are advised to advocate for the protection of women from abuse, empower them economically and politically and review the necessary legislations to accommodate the growing interest of women in politics both elective and appointive positions.
Keywords: Gender Inequality, Political Participation, Politics, Sexism, Women in Nigeria.