Concepts and Types of Election | Importance of Election | Reasons for Elections Senior Secondary Schools (SS 2) Government

GOVERNMENT

THEME – POLITICAL PARTIES AND PRESSURE GROUPS AND ELECTION

TOPIC – ELECTORAL PROCESS (TYPES OF ELECTORAL SYSTEMS) 

CLASS – SS 1 

LEARNING AREAS – CONCEPTS OF ELECTIONS | IMPORTANCE AND REASONS FOR ELECTIONS 

 

 

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL

1. Textbooks

2. Pictures and charts

3. Electoral materials e.g. ballot box, ballot papers, etc.

 

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define election.

2. discuss and analyze the importance of elections in their communities.

3. outline and discuss the reasons for elections.

 

 

CONTENTS OF THE LESSON

CONCEPTS OF ELECTIONS

Election is the process of selecting a person or group of people for a particular position or office through voting. It is a fundamental aspect of democracy, allowing citizens to have a say in their government and the decisions that affect their lives.

The importance of elections lies in the fact that they give citizens the power to choose their leaders and hold them accountable for their actions. Elections promote political participation and encourage citizens to be informed about the issues and make decisions based on their beliefs and values.

Elections also help to ensure that power is distributed fairly and that no single individual or group can monopolize control over the government. By giving people the opportunity to vote for their preferred candidates, elections promote transparency, accountability, and legitimacy in governance.

Elections are a cornerstone of democracy, allowing for peaceful and orderly transitions of power, promoting representation and diversity in government, and giving citizens a voice in their own governance.

 

TYPES OF ELECTIONS 

1. Bye Election – It is an election to replace a Member of the Legislature occasioned by death, resignation, recall or taking up another public office or position.

2. Run-off Election – It is an election conducted when the first election fails to produce a clear winner to be returned for the position of President or Governor. That’s, 25% across the states or federation in the case of the presidential election and 25% across the LGA in the case of governorship election.

3. Inconclusive Election – It is an election where the total number of registered voters in a particular constituency is sufficient to cause a change in the outcome due to the postponement of election or cancellation of result(s). It may also arise when no candidate meets the criteria for election or threshold to be returned as winner after the initial ballot.

4. Election Observers – Election Observers are persons appointed by their respective organizations and accredited by INEC to observe the entire election process (distribution of election materials, accreditation process, voting, sorting and counting of ballots, collation of results and declaration of results) or any part thereof. There are two types of election observers i.e. Domestic and International Observers.

5. Election Monitors – Election monitors are officials of INEC deployed by the Commission to oversee the conduct of elections.

 

IMPORTANCE OF ELECTION

Elections are of utmost importance in a democracy for several reasons:

1. To choose their representatives.

2. To maintain the rule of law and stability in society.

3. To hold elected officials accountable for their actions.

4. To removed leaders who fail to fulfill their promises or act against the interests of the people.

5. To promote transparency in governance by allowing for open competition among political parties and candidates.

6. To prevent corruption and ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of the public.

7. To offer a peaceful mechanism for transferring power from one set of leaders to another.

8. To prevent violence and instability in society.

9. To influence the direction of their communities and countries.

10. To determine the priorities and direction of government action.

 

REASONS FOR ELECTION

There are several reasons why elections are important in a democratic society:

1. Representation – Elections allow for the selection of representatives who will advocate for the interests and concerns of the people they serve. By choosing their leaders through elections, citizens have a say in who will represent them and make decisions on their behalf.

2. Accountability – Elections hold public officials accountable for their actions and decisions. Elected representatives are responsible to the voters who elected them, and if they fail to fulfill their duties or act against the interests of the people, they can be replaced in the next election.

3. Legitimacy – Elections provide legitimacy to the government and its authority. By allowing citizens to participate in the democratic process and choose their leaders, elections help to ensure that the government has the consent of the governed.

4. Change and Progress – Elections offer an opportunity for change and progress in society. By allowing for new leaders to be elected, elections provide a mechanism for fresh ideas, policies, and approaches to governance to be implemented.

5. Public Participation – Elections encourage public participation in the political process. By voting in elections, citizens have a direct role in shaping the future of their communities, states, and countries.

6. Peaceful Transitions of Power – Elections allow for peaceful and orderly transitions of power. By providing a structured and regulated process for selecting leaders, elections help to prevent conflicts and ensure stability in  governance.

7. Policy-making – Elected officials use their mandate from the people to make decisions and implement policies that reflect the needs and aspirations of the population. Elections determine the priorities and direction of government action.

 

 

LESSON PRESENTATION

TEACHER’S ACTIVITIES

The teacher,

1. leads a class review on the meaning and types of election.

2. guides a class discussion on the importance and reasons for election.

3. summarizes the lesson on the board with appropriate lesson evaluation.

4. gives an assignment.

 

STUDENT’S ACTIVITIES

The students,

1. participate actively in the class review on the meaning and types of election.

2. discuss the importance and reasons for election.

3. respond correctly to the lesson evaluation and write as instructed.

4. take note of class assignment.

 

 

LESSON EVALUATION

Teacher asks students to,

1. define election.

2. outlines and discuss 5 reasons for election.

3. mention 5 importance of elections.