VOTE BUYING AND ELECTORAL INTEGRITY IN NIGERIA: AN ANALYSIS OF BAUCHI METROPOLIS AND ITS ENVIRONS (2019-2023)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the phenomenon of vote buying and its implications for electoral integrity
and democratic governance in Bauchi Metropolis, with a specific focus on the 2019 and 2023
general elections. The objectives of the study were to examine the prevalent methods and
patterns of vote buying, analyze its impact on electoral integrity and democratic governance,
and identify strategies to curb the practice. A qualitative research design was adopted, relying
on Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with community
members, political stakeholders, and civil society representatives. A total of 20 informants
participated, selected purposively to provide relevant insights into the electoral dynamics of the
area. Findings revealed that vote buying in Bauchi Metropolis manifests in several forms,
including the distribution of cash, food items, clothing, and promises of employment or
government contracts. The practice was found to compromise the credibility of elections, erode
public trust in democratic institutions, and perpetuate political clientelism, thereby weakening
democratic governance. Moreover, respondents highlighted that poverty, unemployment, weak
enforcement of electoral laws, and lack of voter awareness remain the primary drivers of vote
buying. Strategies suggested to curb the menace include strengthening legal frameworks,
empowering electoral bodies, enhancing voter education, and promoting civil society
engagement in monitoring elections. The study concludes that vote buying is not only a threat to
free and fair elections but also undermines the long-term consolidation of democracy in Bauchi
Metropolis. It recommends stronger political will, community-based sensitization, and
institutional reforms to mitigate the practice and foster electoral integrity.
Keywords: Vote buying, Electoral integrity, Democratic governance, Bauchi Metropolis,
Elections 2019, Elections 2023.
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