Voting Rights and Electoral Exclusion in Adamawa State

This study examines patterns of electoral exclusion in Adamawa State, investigating the structural, logistical, and procedural barriers that prevent registered voters from exercising their voting rights effectively during general elections. Electoral exclusion is a significant governance problem in Nigerian democracy, with millions of voters formally registered but functionally unable to participate due to barriers ranging from voter card collection failures to polling station inaccessibility. Using a qualitative research design, the study draws on focus group discussions with registered voters in six local government areas across Adamawa State's three geopolitical zones, supplemented by interviews with Independent National Electoral Commission officials and domestic election observers. The electoral rights framework and the concept of substantive political equality are applied to distinguish between formal and effective voting rights. Findings reveal that voters in Adamawa State face a compound of exclusionary barriers including incomplete permanent voter card distribution, long distances to designated polling units in rural areas, security fears in communities affected by Boko Haram violence and inter-ethnic conflict, and confusion about polling unit relocation that the commission implemented in the 2023 election cycle. Women face additional barriers related to mobility restrictions and intra-household permission dynamics. The North East geopolitical context, marked by the ongoing security crisis, further exacerbates voter exclusion risks. Recommendations include mobile voter card distribution, increased polling unit density in rural areas, and special security arrangements for elections in high-risk communities. Keywords: voting rights, electoral exclusion, Adamawa State, voter participation, election administration