(a) Give three reasons for holding elections in a state. (b) Identify three factors that can disqualify a person from voting in a democracy.

Answer Details

(a) Three reasons for holding elections in a state

1. To choose representatives: Elections enable citizens to select the persons who will occupy public offices and exercise governmental power on their behalf, since direct democracy is impracticable in large modern states.
2. To confer legitimacy and consent: A government that emerges from a free election derives its authority from the will of the people. This popular mandate gives the leaders the moral and legal right to govern.
3. To ensure political accountability and change of government: Periodic elections allow the electorate to renew the mandate of good leaders and to peacefully remove poor performers, thereby holding office-holders answerable for their conduct.

(Other acceptable reasons: to give effect to popular participation, to reflect the wishes of the majority, to provide an orderly and peaceful means of transferring power.)

(b) Three factors that can disqualify a person from voting in a democracy

1. Age: A person below the constitutionally prescribed voting age (18 years in Nigeria) is not eligible to vote.
2. Unsound mind / insanity: A person certified to be of unsound mind lacks the capacity to make a rational electoral choice and is disqualified.
3. Non-registration: A citizen whose name does not appear on the voters' register cannot vote, since registration is a condition for exercising the franchise.

(Other acceptable factors: non-citizenship/alien status, conviction for a criminal offence or serving a prison term, failure to satisfy a residence qualification.)