CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1.   Background of the study
In every stable democratic state, election remains the essential ingredient of transitory process from one civilian administration to another. Elections have become an integral part of representative democracy that by and large prevails across the world (Ake, 2006). According to Lindberg (2003), every modern vision of representative democracy entails the notion of elections as the primary means of selection of political decision makers. Thus, it is incomprehensible in contemporary times to think of democracy without linking it to the idea and practice of elections. Ojo (2007), described election as the ‘hallmark of democracy’ while Chiroro (2005) sees it as the ‘heart of the democratic order’. In all, elections constitute a core component of democracy. The electoral process in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular especially since the beginning of the 21st century is characterized by violence. It is important to emphasize here that though violence has been a longstanding feature of the democratisation process in the post colonial Nigeria, its recent manifestations especially since the birth of the Fourth Republic has assumed an unprecedented magnitude thus constituting a major threat to the survival democracy. Fundamentally, there is no doubt the fact that electoral violence remains a major source of political instability in a democratic state with palpable threats of deconsolidation. Adigun, Agbaje and Adejumobi (2013) have argued that violence has become infused in political processes in most new democracies in Africa especially with respect to the 21st century. For instance, according to the 2008 Amnesty International Report, ‘the violent struggle for power, even in states which do not descend into armed conflict, still remains an important component of political life in Africa. Nigeria, having survived decades of military dictatorship which was characterized by despotism, violation of fundamental human rights, financial profligacy among others, eventually returned to democratic rule on May 29, 1999 which culminated in the birth of the Fourth Republic. The republic which started amidst great hope and expectations is yet to significantly convince the generality of the Nigerian populace its democratic success especially with respect to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections devoid of election violence (pre and post). In fact, both at national and state levels, transition from one civilian administration to another since 1999 has been very rough. This is noticeable in the various cases of electoral violence which has claimed several lives, displacement of innocent people and wanton destruction of property. The conduct of election since the birth of the fourth republic up to 2011 has been retrogressive rather than progressive. This research study examined electoral violence and its effect on the Nigeria democracy, focusing on Anambra state from 2007 to 2015.