ELECTORAL VIOLENCE AND NIGERIA DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION.

This study examined the impact of electoral violence on Nigeria's electoral process. The study took form of a survey research design. In carrying out the study research, the research, therefore use the sample of one hundred respondents from the target population. The generated data was analyzed with the use of the Four Point Likert Scale. Data were collected mainly from the primary source which are obtained from a 15 item questionnaire. The study findings revealed that electoral violence, underwhelms voter confidence erodes citizens' trust in the democratic process. Electoral violence in Nigeria disrupts the conduct of free and fair elections. The recurrence of electoral violence in Nigeria weakens the credibility of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Electoral violence can hinder the nation's progress towards a stable and inclusive democracy. Finally, electoral violence negatively affects Nigeria's socio-economic development by diverting resources away from productive activities to address security challenges. The study also revealed that the major and remote causes of electoral violence in Nigeria are weak governances, ethnic or religious divisions, disputed electoral processes, insurgency, and weaponization of the social media. Based on the findings, the study recommended that government should implement electoral reforms to improve the transparency, fairness, and credibility of elections