Reassessing Nigeria's Electoral Outcomes: A Descriptive Study of Wasted Votes and Proportional Representation in the 2019 National Assembly Elections

Abstract

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) organizes and conducts elections in Nigeria as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended). This paper investigates the effects of wasted votes as a product of first past the post electoral system. Past studies have not really captured the effects of wasted votes in the 2019 National Assembly Elections in Nigeria as a result of low women representation. This paper therefore, examines this gap; identifies challenges and suggests ways of tackling them. The paper is descriptive. For data, the paper uses a combination of primary and secondary materials. The finding is that wasted votes have promoted exclusion of women in election outcomes. This paper uses Duverger’s Theory to understand the study. It then concludes the need for the combination of first past the post and proportional representation in future elections as a way of promoting women inclusion in the electoral system for Nigeria. It advocates increase in the allocation of seats to women in the national assembly; reorientation of constituents and stakeholders on the importance of proportional representation to reducing wasted votes and positively reposition election outcomes in Nigeria’s future elections.