ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN ELECTIONEERING CREDIBILITY
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ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN ELECTIONEERING CREDIBILITY
ABSTRACT
This study will examine the importance of social media in the 2015 elections, emphasising how important electoral players used social media during the election. The task of this study is divided into six pieces.
Following this introduction, the second section delves into the definition, properties, and categories of social media. It examines the media’s role as a watchdog in a democratic society, as well as the theoretical framework, literature assessment, empirical investigations, and research possibilities.
Chapter one
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The 2015 general elections in Nigeria saw a remarkable usage of social media as a political communication tool. Three significant concerns highlight the widespread usage of social media platforms during the 2015 election.
First, the usage of social media in Nigeria’s 2015 elections reflects a global trend towards “internet elections” or “e-electioneering” (Macnamara 2008). Around the world, rapidly expanding internet access, increased availability of internet-ready smartphones and other communication devices, and the evolution of web-based new media –
personal websites, social networking sites, blogs, and e-newsletters – have redefined methods of political communication, resulting in a significant shift towards the use of social media in the electoral process.
Previously, network television and newspapers provided the majority of election coverage and information. However, social media has now emerged as a key global venue for communicating election information. Because of its simplicity, speed, and reach, social media is transforming election administration, coverage, and reporting.
The second issue that highlights the usage of social media in Nigeria’s 2015 elections is that certain Nigerian politicians take advantage of the chances provided by social media for online campaigning. During the 2015 general election, many politicians, particularly presidential candidates, used social media to communicate with voters and constituents.
Facebook and Twitter appear to be the most popular social media channels among politicians. In December 2014, it was projected that Goodluck Jonathan has approximately 600,000 Facebook fans (Ekine 2010).
Other presidential candidates, including Mohammedu Buhari, Ambrose Albert, and Oluremi Sonaiya, have Twitter and other social media profiles. Political parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC also had Facebook pages.
Politicians and their parties used social media to broadcast messages and recruit a large number of volunteers to help their campaigns.3 The third problem that highlights the usage of social media in Nigeria’s 2011 elections is Nigerian civil society and the electorate’s willingness to use social media to improve the effectiveness of election observation.
Prior to the 2015 elections, Nigerian elections were marked by widespread vote rigging and other electoral malpractices. Dissatisfaction among candidates, voters, and observers was especially high in the 2007 and 2001 elections.
The elections were marred by complaints of irregularities such as prospective voters being disenfranchised, ballot boxes being snatched from election officials and stuffed with invalid ballot papers, and allegations of collusion between election officials and politicians to alter election results and undermine popular mandate (Ibrahim and Ibeanu 2009).
The problems that marred the 2001 elections seriously harmed the integrity of Nigerian elections, prompting calls for more free, fair, and transparent elections.
To address the flaws that marred previous Nigerian elections, various organisations, institutions, and individuals established social media platforms that allowed citizens to monitor the electoral process and report electoral malpractices to authorities using their mobile phones, computers, and other electronic devices. A large number of videos, photographs, tweets, and comments were shared via social media channels.
According to a single practitioner, “the widespread use of these real-time media severely limited electoral malpractices because we found that people were aware that they were on camera and this made them operate at their best behaviour” (Omokri 2011; emphasis added).
Attahiru Jega, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), concurs that using social media during the 2015 elections “enhanced transparency in the electoral process and made INEC more accountable to the public in the conduct of elections” (quoted in Amuchie 2012).
The 2011 general elections provide a unique backdrop and opportunity to investigate the use of social media in elections, particularly its usefulness and applicability in the electoral setting.
Although it appears that social media played a significant role in the success of the 2015 elections, it is important to understand how specific stakeholders, such as INEC, politicians/political parties, the electorate, and CSOs, used social media during the elections.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
In almost every community, social media serves to educate, inform, and enlighten. Elections are assumed to be free and fair when these tasks are properly carried out. However, in Nigeria, multiple elections have been combined.
The question is, how has social media mobilised the Nigerian people? How come electoral processes have not been successful? Is the social media system not comparable to other media systems elsewhere? our is only one of the many questions that our study intends to answer.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The goal of this research is to explain the role of social media in electioneering credibility and to identify some of the existing and potential future difficulties surrounding people’s use of social media. It tries to understand how people use social networking sites, as well as their attitudes towards this mode of communication.
This study will examine the importance of social media in the 2015 elections, emphasising how important electoral players used social media during the election. The task of this study is divided into six pieces. Following this introduction, the second section delves into the definition, properties, and categories of social media.
A clear definition of social media is important since it is easy to misinterpret social media to mean solely social networking technologies such as Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. The third portion examines the role of social media in Nigeria’s election legislative framework, namely the election Act 2010.
This analysis will show the importance of the Electoral Act of 2010 in promoting the usage of social media. The fourth phase of this study will look at how social media is used by important stakeholders in the election process, such as INEC, politicians/political parties, the voters, and civil society organisations.
The fifth portion will synthesise the study’s primary points and reflect on broader issues raised by the findings, while the final piece will make recommendations.
1.4 Scope of the Study
This project research concentrated on the influence of social media in electioneering credibility (a study of the 2015 general election).
1.5 Significance of the Study
The relevance of this report is as follows:
· The study found that using social media in electioneering improves credibility.
· The study found that social media can be used to engage with voters and constituents.
· Demonstrating social media’s global role in distributing election-related information.
· Social media can enhance the effectiveness of election observation.
• Increased transparency and accountability for INEC during elections.
1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS.
our is only one of the many questions that our study intends to answer.
· Has social media helped mobilise Nigerians?
· Are the 2015 election processes successful?
Is the social media system not in line with other media systems?
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