Electoral Law and the Management of Electoral Violence in Nigeria: An Appraisal of the Electoral Act 2022 in Anambra State

Electoral violence remains one of the most persistent threats to democratic governance and constitutional order in Nigeria, and its legal regulation has been a subject of significant legislative and judicial attention. The Electoral Act 2022 introduced several provisions aimed at reducing electoral violence, including expanded offences, stricter sanctions, and provisions for result cancellation in violence-affected constituencies. This study appraises the adequacy of the Electoral Act 2022 in managing electoral violence, using the 2021 Anambra State gubernatorial election as a case study within the South East geopolitical zone. A doctrinal methodology is combined with a case study approach, reviewing the text of the Electoral Act 2022, Independent National Electoral Commission guidelines, relevant tribunal and court decisions from the Anambra election, and reports by election observer missions including the European Union and Transition Monitoring Group. The study evaluates whether the legislative framework for electoral violence prevention reflects international best practices. Available electoral law literature identifies inadequate prosecution of electoral offences and weak inter-agency coordination between INEC and security forces as the principal enforcement failures. The Rule of Law and Democratic Governance Framework guides the analytical approach. Findings recommend prosecutorial independence reforms, independent electoral security management, and mandatory civic education on electoral rights. Keywords: electoral violence, Electoral Act 2022, Anambra State, INEC, democratic governance.