ANALYSIS OF AUDIENCE PERCEPTION OF MEDIA COVERAGE OF APRIL 2011 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. A RESEARCH PROJECT MATERIAL ON MASS COMMUNICATION
ABSTRACT
The study focuses on the analysis of audience perception of media coverage of April 2011 Presidential election using South-East geo-political zone as a case study. However, the research study was restricted to five South-East states of Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi to collect different perception from the audience about the conduct of April 2011 presidential election. Major findings of this research study reveals that parties and officials were offering bribe to voters to allow them vote for their preferred candidates. More so, many political parties were in the habit of threatening voters to allow them vote during the election. Questionnaires were administered to the relevant population samples. Audience were interviewed and data were collected, analysed and interpreted. The analysis used was based on percentage. Data collected were tabulated. Conclusion and recommendation were based on the data collected. Finally, it was inferred from the analysis that electoral commission should embark on more voters education and to enlighten the populace about the punishment that await election offenders. Again, election officials should encourage its officials to remain incorruptible, dutiful and desist from accepting bribe.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACK GROUND OF THE STUDY
Presidential elections are about choices and for these choices to reflect the wishes and aspirations of the people for improved standard of living, they must be based on accurate and reliable information about the three key elements in the electoral process: the presidential candidate, the issues and the political parties. The media provides the basic information required to make the right choices during an election. The media also provides the framework for communication between the presidential candidates who seek the votes and the electorates.
In addition, however, the media facilitates the electoral process through diminutions of constant information on the voting arrangements and procedures, mobilization of the electorate and serve as watchdogs of the electoral system.
The chance to decide who will govern the country at these level serves as an opportunity for the public to make choices about the policies, programs, and future directions of government action. At the same time, elections promote accountability.
In Nigeria, presidential elections take place every four years. The responsibility for organising presidential elections rests largely on INEC. This commission establish and staff polling units and verify the eligibility of individuals who come to vote ion presidential election. Political party leaders select presidential candidates for office in a general election.
In presidential elections, voters select the party’s presidential candidates for office. The primary is followed by the general presidential election, which normally is the decisive electoral contest. However, run-off presidential election between the candidates receiving the largest number of primary votes may proceed the general presidential election.
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