Low Voter Turnout Diminishes Democracy
Francis Abayomi
Low voter turnout can’t be an acceptable standard in ideal electoral process; regardless of the momentum of triumphalism elicited by the outcome. Electoral victory on account of voter turnout of less than 15% can’t qualify to be referenced as outcome of popular democracy. Indeed, gloating over such outcome is tantamount to a form of philistinism that merely seeks to undermine the very beauty of electoral contest. Indeed, low voter turnout signposts a dangerous dimension which inexorably diminishes democracy. Voter turnout recorded in recent bye-elections into vacant legislative seats across eleven states largely attest to the vanishing of faith in the electoral process and by implication democracy. Enthusiasm about democracy appears to be waning rather than been deepened. Voter turnout in the Presidential election held in Ghana this week is projected well above 65%. After two decades of democratic experiments, Nigeria should be recording above 50% voter turnout in any election. The primary interest of politicians will always be about winning regardless of the flaws. Politicians really bother about voters’ apathy provided the margin of lead is sufficient enough to guarantee a return as winners. Unfortunately, the quest for genuine democracy can’t be realized under prevalence of voter apathy. Low voter turnout has far-reaching implications for democracy beyond the immediate. An elected representative would likely not reckon with the power of the constituents when a mandate is secured on account of voter apathy. It is not enough that winners emerged in spite of the low voter turnout that characterized recent bye-elections. There is the need to worry about the immediate and future implication for democracy.
As another general elections beckon in 2023, it should therefore be worrisome that the faith of the people in democracy appears to be vanishing. It should be instructive that the campaigns ahead of recent bye-elections didn’t trigger much enthusiasm amongst the general public for obvious reasons. While low voter turnout is not unusual in off-season elections, the trend as witnessed in Lagos East Senatorial District calls for concerns. The low turnout of voters represents an indictment on political parties and stakeholders. What the low turnout suggests was that the people are unimpressed with the political elite. The depth of voter apathy amongst citizens in Nigeria’s most populous state sends compelling message across; particularly as Nigerians anticipate a better engagement of governance process in the years ahead.
Notwithstanding, Nigerian voters will probably remain apathetic as long as politicians come across as more interested in pursuing the prosperity of the few under the protection of the State at the expense of the prosperity of the generality of the overwhelming majority of the society. There are however more than enough reasons why citizens are losing faith in democracy. But the truth however remains the situation will probably become worsened unless citizens participate in the process of leadership selection in affirmation of their civic responsibility. Popular democratic participation remains a veritable vehicle for attaining pro-people governance. Failure to robustly engage electoral process has a the propensity of narrowing opportunities for selecting quality representatives and responsive leadership. To this extent, there must be appreciable improvement in voter turnout for democracy to truly worth the description of “government of the people by the people and for the people”. Unfortunately, voter apathy has remained a low point in the democratic journey since 1999. There is no denying the fact that voter apathy is prevalent partly as a result of the failure of political parties to creatively engage the electorate and the general public with programs and policies that speak eloquently to issues that borders on welfare and basic concerns of the society.
Democracy in the United States is today generally perceived as heroically defying antidemocratic tendencies in the wake of contentions over the November 3, 2020 Presidential Elections. It is doubtful if institutions that have risen stoutly in support of democracy in the US could have succeeded without the popular participation of the electorate. In fact, the contentious 2020 Presidential election recorded the highest votes in history for the eventual winner as well as the runner-up. Participation of the electorate in the selection process is at the core of electoral democracy. Democratization is almost inconceivable, in the true since of the world, when apathy of stakeholders in the selection process reign supreme. While there has been emphasis on voter education by stakeholders across the country, the challenge however has been the failure of political actors to demonstrate commensurate attention to voter education as a continuous process tied to mobilizing support amongst the general public.
Nevertheless, the present scenario of voter apathy should present a window of opportunity for alternative political platforms and stakeholders who can proffer better proposals relevant to governance. It is expected that those genuinely interested in providing alternative leadership in the democratic process would see the opportunity available by connecting with the large population of apathetic electorate whose votes could serve as the real tonic for the change the society need. As the saying goes, rather than agonizing, the appropriate things is to organized and seize the momentum by connecting with large population of eligible but yet unenthusiastic voters across the country. The present negative scenario of low voter turnout could be translated into huge advantage in the near future. This should be the light at the end of the tunnel.