ELECTION LOGISTICS AND FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT AS DETERMINANTS OF INCLUSIVE AND TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

The study examined how election logistics and financial oversight are associated with the inclusivity and transparency of elections in Nigeria. The objectives were to assess how timeliness and efficiency of election material distribution, polling unit accessibility, personnel adequacy, transparency of election fund allocation, and accountability mechanisms predict electoral inclusiveness and transparency. A quantitative research design involving an explanatory cross-sectional survey was adopted for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 234 participants comprising INEC officials, electoral staff, party agents, and election observers in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo States. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the collected data. The results demonstrated that election logistics was a significant predictor of inclusive and transparent elections (β = 0.452, p < 0.05), while financial oversight also had a significant positive predictive effect (β = 0.318, p < 0.05). The regression model explained 55.1% of the variation in inclusive and transparent elections (R² = 0.551), with election logistics emerging as the stronger predictor. The findings indicate that effective logistics management and sound financial accountability are important institutional conditions for strengthening electoral credibility, accessibility, and transparency in Nigeria. The study contributes theoretically by demonstrating the relevance of Institutional Theory and Electoral Integrity Theory in explaining how institutional capacity, administrative effectiveness, and accountability mechanisms shape electoral outcomes. Practically, the findings guide INEC and other electoral stakeholders on improving logistics planning, electoral resource accountability, procurement monitoring, and technology-supported election management.

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