INEC and Political Parties as Determinants of Electoral Administration and Democratic Sustainability in Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

This study investigates the critical roles played by political
parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) in shaping electoral administration and sustaining
democratic governance in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Grounded
in the Liberal Democratic Theory, the research explores how
party conduct and electoral management practices influence the
integrity and credibility of elections, with a focus on the 2019
and 2023 general elections. Adopting a descriptive survey
design, data were gathered from 510 respondents comprising
INEC officials, political party executives, security personnel,
and registered voters across three senatorial districts. The
findings reveal that political parties significantly affect
electoral administration through voter mobilization, candidate
nomination, and campaign strategies; however, their
engagement is often marred by poor internal democracy, votebuying, and electoral violence. INEC, despite introducing
reforms such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System
(BVAS), continues to face challenges related to logistics,
neutrality, and institutional capacity. Chi-square analysis
confirmed significant relationships between the conduct of
political parties and INEC's effectiveness with electoral
credibility and democratic consolidation in the state. The study
recommends enhanced political party reform, improved
electoral logistics, and legal safeguards to bolster INEC's
autonomy and restore public trust in the democratic process.