IMPACT OF GENDER BALANCE ON ELECTION MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION IN NORTH CENTRAL REGION OF NIGERIA
Muhammad A. Mainoma, PhD, Halima A. Doma-Kutigi and Philomena Ene Abakpa
Volume 4 Issue 1
Abstract
The study investigates the influence of gender balance on Election Management Organizations (EMOs) in the North Central Region of Nigeria. Two research questions guided the inquiry, seeking to identify challenges encountered by EMOs and evaluate the effect of gender balance. The study's objectives were twofold: to pinpoint the obstacles faced by EMOs and to gauge the impact of gender balance. Hypotheses were formulated to assess the correlation between gender balance and the effectiveness of EMOs. Employing a descriptive survey research design, the study encompassed a total population of 3553 electoral staff from all six states in the North Central Region, with a sample size of 345 respondents selected via simple random sampling. Data collection utilized a researcher-developed instrument, which underwent validation through vetting. Descriptive statistics, comprising mean and standard deviation, were applied to address the research questions, while chi-square analysis was utilized for testing hypotheses. Findings unveiled notable challenges confronting EMOs in the region, encompassing issues such as voter education, electoral violence, and insecurity. The study's conclusion highlighted the substantial impact of gender balance on EMO effectiveness in the North Central Region of Nigeria, emphasizing the necessity of promoting gender diversity within EMOs to bolster their capability in conducting fair and transparent elections. Keywords: Gender, Election, Management, Organizations
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