AN EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF INSURGENCY ON VOTER REGISTRATION IN BORNO STATE, NIGERIA (2015–2023)

Abstract

Voter registration is the foundational gateway to the electoral process, yet it is severely disrupted by persistent insurgent activities in the North-East, particularly in Borno State. This study evaluates the impact of insurgency on voter registration in Borno State, Nigeria, between 2015 and 2023. Anchored on the frustration-aggression theory, the study employs a mixed-methods design combining a survey of 377 respondents with Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) across six local government areas. The study showed that insurgency significantly suppressed potential voter turnout for registration, destroyed electoral materials and INEC registration centers, and displaced prospective registrants from their natural abode. Findings revealed that fear of attacks by insurgents and mass displacements of potential registrants were the major factors that hindered voter registration in Borno State. Findings further revealed that the Nigerian military secured many locations and facilitated higher voter registration rates across Borno State, yet several prospective voters remained unregistered or unable to collect PVCs especially in some rural communities due to fear of insurgent attacks, displacement, physical and psychological trauma among others. The study concludes that insurgency significantly impacted voter registration in Borno State, leading to exclusion of several prospective voters. The study recommends intensive community-based voter education campaign, integrated civil-military cooperation strategies, mobile and online registration for prospective voters to prevent physical attacks from the insurgents and enhanced security coordination and collaboration through Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to safeguard voter registration in Borno State.