DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS
Democratic institutions are institutions that are very important to the smooth operation of democratic processes. They include the following:
1.Independent National Electoral Commission
- Political parties
- Pressure groups
- Arms of government
INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC)
This is a corporate body charged with the responsibility of organising, conducting and supervising elections into electoral offices in Nigeria.
FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF INEC
- Conduct of elections.
- Conduct of referenda and plebiscites.
- Voter registration.
- Constituency delimitation.
- Relationship with political parties.
- Provision of electoral officers and materials.
- Fixing of date of elections.
POLITICAL PARTIES
Political parties are organised group of individuals who share same political ideologies, beliefs and interests and who are seeking to win elections and control the state power and machinery of government.
FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES
- Promotion of national unity.
- Political education.
- Machinery for recruitment/ appointment.
- Linking people with the government.
- Promotion of political stability in government.
- Acting as a watchdog.
- Enhancement of political chances of individuals.
PRESSURE GROUPS
A pressure group is an organised body of people seeking to influence government policy, in order to promote the interest of their members. Pressure groups are also called interest groups. Pressure groups use methods like negotiation and dialogue, lobbying, sensitization of the public on the issue through mass media, protest match or demonstration, boycott, hunger strike, sit-down and outright or today strike to get their needs met by the government.
FUNCTIONS OF PRESSURE GROUP
- Provision of useful suggestions and advice to the government.
- Promotion of economic stability.
- Provision of welfare services.
- Political education.
- Link between the people and the government.
- Acting as watchdog.
- Acting as manpower bank.
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