COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ELECTORAL PROCESS AND NATIONAL SECURITY IN 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN KANO STATE

ABSTRACT This study investigates the relationship between the electoral process and national security during the 2023 general elections in Kano State, Nigeria. It focuses on how security challenges, institutional preparedness, and technological innovations influenced electoral credibility and voter participation. The study adopted a comparative and descriptive research design and gathered primary data through questionnaires administered to 50 respondents, including INEC officials, security personnel, political party agents, election observers, and voters across five selected local government areas. Data were analyzed using frequency tables and percentages, while Conflict Theory and Systems Theory provided the theoretical framework. Findings revealed that the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal enhanced transparency and reduced multiple voting. However, challenges such as political thuggery, voter intimidation, and poor logistics persisted, affecting the credibility of the process. Coordination between INEC and security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) improved compared to 2019 but remained inconsistent in some areas. The study concludes that effective security management, institutional neutrality, and technological reliability are critical to achieving credible and peaceful elections. It recommends strengthening inter-agency collaboration, prosecuting electoral offenders, improving logistics, and expanding voter education to promote democratic stability. Keywords: Electoral Process, National Security, BVAS, Electoral Violence, INEC, Voter Turnout, Kano State, 2023 Elections.