| Abstract: |
Credible electoral processes are fundamental to democratic governance, yet
Nigeria's electoral system continues to bedeviled by transparency issues, lack of
public trust, technological shortcomings, and compliance with electoral laws. This
study examined the influence of public discourse on the amendment of the 2026
Electoral Act in Nigeria, with special focus on citizen participation, the role of civil
society and the media, legislative decision-making, and the relevance of
development communication. The study was anchored on Participatory
Communication and Individual Differences theories and adopted the survey
research design. The population comprised residents of Enugu Metropolis, from
which a sample of 385 respondents was drawn. Data were collected through a
structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed
that public discourse contributed substantially to citizens' awareness and
participation in debates surrounding the electoral reform, with social media
emerging as a major channel of political information and engagement. The study
also found that citizens perceived their opinions as having some influence on
legislative deliberations, while stakeholder consultations were considered
important in promoting accountability and trust. However, concerns were identified
regarding the adequacy of public understanding, balanced media coverage, and the
effectiveness of strategic communication in building trust. The study concludes that
public discourse and participatory communication are important mechanisms for
strengthening citizen engagement and democratic reforms. It recommends greater inclusiveness, transparent communication, balanced media reporting, and sustained
stakeholder engagement in future electoral reform processes. |
