ASSESSING THE EFFECT OF ELECTORAL MALPRACTICE ON THE PERFORMANCE OF POLITICAL OFFICE HOLDER (A CASE STUDY OF BOGORO LGA)

This study examines the impact of electoral malpractice on the performance of political office holders, using Bogoro Local Government Area (LGA) as a case study. Electoral malpractice remains a critical issue in Nigeria, affecting the legitimacy and effectiveness of political leaders. The study sought to analyze the relationship between various forms of electoral malpractice, such as vote buying, ballot box snatching, and electoral violence, and the subsequent performance of elected officials in office. An interview was used to gather data from residents of Bogoro LGA, selected through stratified random sampling. The findings revealed that 75% of respondents believe that electoral violence undermines the credibility of political office holders, while 60% of respondents indicated that vote buying leads to poor accountability in office. Additionally, 55% of participants confirmed that ballot box snatching directly impacts the quality of governance due to the lack of electoral transparency. Furthermore, 68% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of political office holders, attributing their ineffectiveness to the electoral malpractices observed during elections. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that electoral malpractice significantly affects the performance of political office holders in Bogoro LGA, as these practices erode public trust and diminish the accountability of elected officials. It is recommended that stronger electoral reforms and enforcement mechanisms be put in place to reduce malpractice, thereby enhancing the performance and legitimacy of political office holders in Bogoro LGA.