Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 8
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Government
Curriculum Theme: Government
Previous Lesson: Types of Electoral System.
Topic: ELECTORAL PROCESS (ELECTION)
Subject Matter: Meaning of election, purpose of election, organisation of election, features of election, stages of election

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define election.
State the purpose of election.
Identify at least three features of election.
List the stages involved in an election.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of a free and fair electoral process in a democracy.
Participate actively in discussions about the electoral process.

Psychomotor Domain:

Outline the stages of election on a chart or diagram.
Explain the organisation of election in Nigeria.

Collaborate with peers to discuss different aspects of the electoral process.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Senior Secondary Schools.
State Unified Scheme of Work for Government (SSS 1).
Adigwe, O. (2018). Comprehensive Government for Senior Secondary Schools. Abuja: Excellent Publishers.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) website
General Election Resources

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Election posters
Sample ballot papers
Civic charts illustrating election stages
Whiteboard and markers

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand how leaders are chosen in a democracy. It enables them to know their role in the electoral process and prepares them for future civic responsibilities. Understanding elections is important for active participation in society.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are expected to have basic knowledge of government, citizenship, and the concept of democracy from their civic education classes.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

ELECTORAL PROCESS (ELECTION)

Meaning of Election

An election is a formal and organised process through which citizens choose their representatives or leaders to hold public office. It is a fundamental aspect of democracy, allowing people to express their will.

Purpose of Election

The following are the purposes of election:

To choose leaders or representatives.
To confer legitimacy on the government.
To ensure accountability of leaders to the people.
To provide a platform for citizens to participate in governance.
To facilitate peaceful change of government.
To give citizens a voice in public policy.

Features of Election

The following are the features of a good election:

Universal Adult Suffrage: All adult citizens have the right to vote, regardless of their background.
Secret Ballot: Voters cast their votes privately to ensure freedom from intimidation.
Free and Fair: Elections are conducted without undue influence, manipulation, or fraud.
Regularity: Elections are held at fixed, constitutionally stipulated intervals.
Impartial Electoral Body: An independent body manages and supervises the election process.
Multiple Parties/Candidates: Voters have a choice among several political parties or candidates.

Organisation of Election

Elections in Nigeria are organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). INEC is responsible for:

Registering voters.
Delineating constituencies.
Registering political parties.
Monitoring political campaigns.
Conducting elections (providing ballot papers, boxes, security, ad-hoc staff).
Announcing election results.
Handling election petitions and complaints.

Stages of Election

The following are the stages involved in an election process:

Voter Registration: Citizens register to be eligible to vote.
Party Primaries: Political parties select their candidates.
Nomination of Candidates: Selected candidates submit their forms to the electoral body.
Election Campaign: Candidates and parties canvass for votes from the electorate.
Accreditation of Voters: Voters present their voter cards for verification at polling units.
Voting: Voters cast their ballots in secret.
Counting of Votes: Votes are counted publicly at the polling units.
Collation of Results: Results are gathered from polling units to ward, local government, state, and national levels.
Declaration of Results: The electoral body announces the winners.
Election Petitions: Aggrieved parties or candidates challenge results in court.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to mention how leaders are chosen in their school or community. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Electoral Process (Election)”.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the questions and listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the concept of choosing leaders and the lesson topic.

Step 2: Meaning of Election

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of election, using simple language and examples from the Nigerian context. The teacher writes the definition on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the definition of election.

Step 3: Purpose of Election

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on why elections are important, eliciting points from pupils. The teacher then lists and explains the purposes of election on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion and copy notes from the board.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the reasons why elections are held.

Step 4: Features of Election

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Elaboration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents and explains the key features of a good electoral process, using charts or posters of ballot papers to demonstrate concepts like secret ballot. The features are written on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the instructional materials, listen to explanations, and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and understand the characteristics of credible elections.

Step 5: Organisation of Election

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains how elections are organised, focusing on the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and ask questions regarding the electoral body.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the body responsible for conducting elections and its functions.

Step 6: Stages of Election

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses a civic chart to illustrate and explain the different stages involved in an election, from voter registration to election petitions. The stages are listed on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the chart, listen to the explanation, and copy the stages into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils can identify and describe the sequential steps of an election.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define election in your own words.
Mention three purposes of holding an election.
State any three features of a free and fair election.
List four stages of the electoral process.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarisation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of the electoral process in a democratic society. The teacher encourages pupils to be responsible citizens.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and prepare for the next lesson.
Learning Point: The lesson is reinforced, and pupils understand its relevance.

Lesson Keywords

Election – A formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office.
Electorate – All the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election.
Suffrage – The right to vote in political elections.
Ballot – A process of voting, typically in secret, or the paper/card used to record a vote.
Polling Unit – A designated place where voters cast their votes during an election.
INEC – Independent National Electoral Commission, the body responsible for conducting elections in Nigeria.

Differentiation

To cater to diverse learners, the teacher will use visual aids like charts and sample ballot papers to support visual learners. Group discussions will be encouraged to allow pupils to learn from each other. For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, they may be asked to explain a stage of election to their peers. Struggling pupils will receive additional guidance and simplified explanations.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure they have adequate visual aids, especially the charts illustrating election stages, to make the lesson more engaging and understandable. Encourage pupils to relate the concepts to recent elections they may have witnessed or heard about. Emphasise the role of citizens in ensuring free and fair elections.