Political Thuggery and the Erosion of Electoral Integrity in Anambra State Governorship Elections (2017-2021)

This study examines the role of political thuggery in eroding electoral integrity during Anambra State governorship elections in 2017 and 2021. Political thuggery, involving the deployment of armed non-state actors by political actors to intimidate voters and electoral officials, has consistently compromised the credibility of elections in the state. The study is anchored on the Institutional Theory of elections, particularly the work of Pippa Norris, which holds that electoral integrity is determined by the strength and impartiality of electoral institutions before, during, and after election day. A descriptive survey design was employed. The population included voters, domestic election observers, police officers, and representatives of civil society organisations in Anambra State. A sample of 280 respondents was selected through purposive and random sampling. Data was gathered using questionnaires and focus group discussions. Findings indicate that political thuggery was more prevalent in the urban local government areas of Awka South, Onitsha North, and Nnewi North, where political competition was most intense. The study finds that the INEC card reader manipulation and ballot box snatching incidents documented by election observers were facilitated by hired thugs linked to specific political parties. The study also reveals that inadequate security deployment and delayed prosecution of perpetrators reinforced a culture of electoral impunity. It is concluded that political thuggery poses a systemic threat to electoral integrity in Anambra State. The study recommends stiffer penalties for electoral violence, independent security deployment protocols, and community-based conflict early warning systems.

Keywords: Political thuggery, electoral integrity, Anambra State, governorship elections, electoral violence