Government SS 2 Curriculum Guides – Meaning and Purpose of Election and Electoral Process | Meaning and Types of Suffrage (Franchise) | Advantages and Disadvantages of Limited and Universal Adult Suffrage (Franchise)

 

 

GOVERNMENT

THEME – POLITICAL PARTIES AND PRESSURE GROUPS AND ELECTION

TOPIC – ELECTORAL PROCESS (ELECTION) 

CLASS – SS 1 

LEARNING AREAS – Meaning and Purpose of Election and Electoral Process | Meaning and Types of Suffrage (Franchise) | Advantages and Disadvantages of Limited and Universal Adult Suffrage (Franchise)

 

 

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL

1. Textbooks

2. Pictures and charts

3. Electoral materials and ballot box, ballot papers, etc.

 

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

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

1. explain the meaning of elections.

2. explain the meaning of suffrage.

3. trace the development of suffrage.

4. identify the types of suffrage

5. discuss the meaning of franchise.

6. enumerate the purpose served by elections in various political systems.

 

 

CONTENTS OF THE LESSON

FOCUS LESSONS 

 MEANING OF ELECTORAL PROCESS 

An electoral process is also known as voting process. It is a set of rules and regulations that determine how elections and referendums are conducted. The whole process includes parties registration, voter registration, political campaign, accreditations, voting and declaration of results and dispute resolution.

 

MEANING OF ELECTION

Election is a process where people vote for preferred candidates or political parties as representatives in government.

 

PURPOSE OF HOLDING ELECTIONS

The purpose of holding elections are as follows:

1. It enables people to vote or be voted for.

2. It gives legitimate power to rule.

3. It empowers the principle of check and balance.

4. It serves as a communication link between the government and the people.

5. It enlightens the populace.

6. It gives control over government machinery.

7. It strengthens national unity.

8. It makes candidates or political parties accountable.

 

 

MEANING OF SUFFRAGE (FRANCHISE) 

Suffrage is the right of a citizen who is 18 years old and above to registered and vote in political elections. Anyone who can exercise the right to vote is a voter.

It is also known as electoral franchise.

 

HISTORY OF SUFFRAGE

 

TYPES OF SUFFRAGE 

There are types of suffrage, limited or unlimited.

 

1. LIMITED SUFFRAGE 

Limited suffrage is also known as restricted suffrage. It is legal Instruments that allows some categories of people to vote or to be voted for based on their age, sex, property, qualification, race, religion, social status, political party, etc.

 

 

Advantages of Limited Suffrage 

1. It is less expensive.

2. It gives room for more qualified candidates to vote or be voted for.

3. It discourages election malpractices.

4. Vote buying and selling are discouraged.

 

Disadvantages of Limited Suffrage

1. It is undemocratic and unconstitutional.

2. It doesn’t promote equity.

3. It encourages discrimination.

4. It discourages larger participation.

5. Accountability is guaranteed.

 

 

2. UNLIMITED SUFFRAGE

Unlimited suffrage is also known as universal adult suffrage. It is legal Instruments that allows only qualified candidates to vote or to be voted irrespective of their sex, religion, party, etc.

The universal suffrage does not set any restrictions to the types of people who can vote or be voted in an election.

 

Qualifications of Universal Adult Suffrage 

1. The candidate must be 18 years old. In Nigeria, USA and Britain is 18 years old while Germany is 20 years old.

2. The candidate must be a citizen of the country he/she represented.

3. The candidate must register to vote or to be voted for.

4. The candidate must have certain sense of reasoning.

5. The candidate must be a resident of a community to enjoy the voting right of that community. For example – the local government chairman. This also applicable to the states in Nigeria.

 

 

Advantages of Universal Adult Suffrage

1. Qualified candidates are allowed to vote and to be voted for.

2. It is democratic and constitutional.

3. It promotes equity.

4. It is free and fair play.

5. It doesn’t allow discrimination.

6. It encourages larger political participation.

7. It protects minority interests

8. It ensures accountability.

9. It promotes the principle of one man one vote.

10. It promotes national unity.

11. It confers legitimacy on government.

12. It promotes representative and inclusive government.

 

Disadvantages of Universal Adult Suffrage

1. It is expensive.

2. Illiterates can misuse their votes.

3. Vote buying and selling.

4. Voting may not be objective.

5. Danger of electing incompetent people into power.

 

 

LESSON PRESENTATION

TEACHER’S ACTIVITIES

The teacher,

1. lead discussion on electoral process.

2. excursion to electoral commission office.

 

STUDENT’S ACTIVITIES

The students,

1. contribute to discussion on electoral processes.

2. take notes.

 

 

LESSON EVALUATION

Teacher asks students to,

1. what are the reasons for conducting elections?

2. explain the evolution of suffrage in Nigeria.