Lesson Note on Forms of Electoral Malpractices: Artificial Scarcity or Hoarding of Electoral Materials for JSS 2

Class: Junior Secondary School 2 (JSS 2 / JS2)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 8
Age: 13 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: National Values Education
Curriculum Theme: Civic Education
Previous Lesson: Electoral Malpractices: Meaning and.
Topic: FORMS OF ELECTORAL MALPRACTICES
Subject Matter: Artificial scarcity or hoarding of electoral materials: Underage voting, thuggery and intimidation, Financial inducement and other corrupt practices, Fake or dishonest manifesto

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

• Define electoral malpractice.
• Identify various forms of electoral malpractices.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate the importance of free and fair elections.
• Condemn all forms of electoral malpractice.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Enumerate specific examples of electoral malpractices.
• Discuss the negative impacts of electoral malpractices on society.

Social Domain:

• Promote civic responsibility by advocating for ethical electoral practices.
• Participate in discussions about ensuring credible elections.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for National Values Education (JSS 2)
• State Unified Scheme of Work for National Values Education (JSS 2)
• National Values Education for Junior Secondary Schools Book 2

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Charts showing images of electoral malpractices.
• Pictures depicting various electoral offenses.
• Copies of simplified election guidelines.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the different ways elections can be manipulated, which is important for promoting good governance. It enables pupils to recognize and speak out against practices that undermine the democratic process in Nigeria.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have prior knowledge of elections, voting, and the importance of choosing good leaders in a democratic society.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

FORMS OF ELECTORAL MALPRACTICES

Definition of Electoral Malpractice

Electoral malpractice refers to any illegal act or conduct that aims to manipulate or rig an election process to achieve a desired outcome. These acts undermine the fairness and credibility of elections.

Artificial Scarcity or Hoarding of Electoral Materials

This occurs when electoral officials or political actors intentionally hide or withhold essential election materials from polling units. This can prevent eligible voters from casting their votes or delay the process.

Examples include:

• Hiding ballot papers.
• Withholding ballot boxes.
• Deliberately delaying the distribution of result sheets.

Underage Voting

Underage voting is when individuals who are below the legal voting age (18 years in Nigeria) are allowed or encouraged to cast votes. This practice is illegal and violates electoral laws.

Thuggery and Intimidation

This involves using violence, threats, or harassment to scare voters, electoral officials, or political opponents. The aim is to suppress voter turnout, disrupt the voting process, or force people to vote against their will.

Examples include:

• Physical attacks on voters or officials.
• Threatening voters with harm if they do not vote for a particular candidate.
• Disrupting polling units with violence.

Financial Inducement and Other Corrupt Practices

This form of malpractice involves offering money, gifts, or other benefits to voters or electoral officials in exchange for their votes or cooperation in rigging an election. It compromises the integrity of the electoral process.

Examples include:

• Buying votes with cash or goods.
• Bribing electoral officers to manipulate results.
• Offering jobs or favours in exchange for votes.

Fake or Dishonest Manifesto

A manifesto is a public declaration of a political party’s or candidate’s policies and aims. A fake or dishonest manifesto involves making false promises, spreading misinformation, or misrepresenting facts to deceive voters and gain their support.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to recall what they know about elections and voting in Nigeria.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by sharing their knowledge about elections and the importance of voting.
Learning Point: Pupils activate prior knowledge about the electoral process.

Step 2: Explanation of Electoral Malpractice

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines electoral malpractice, explaining that it refers to illegal acts that distort election results. The teacher writes the definition on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, ask questions for clarity, and copy the definition into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the meaning of electoral malpractice.

Step 3: Discussing Artificial Scarcity/Hoarding

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Illustration/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains artificial scarcity or hoarding of electoral materials, providing examples like hiding ballot papers or delaying distribution. The teacher uses visual aids if available.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion and identify the impact of such actions on elections.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the malpractice of hoarding electoral materials.

Step 4: Underage Voting

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Example
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains underage voting, emphasizing that only citizens 18 years and above are eligible to vote. The teacher highlights the illegality of this act.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss why underage voting is wrong and its implications for democracy.
Learning Point: Pupils understand that underage voting is an electoral offense.

Step 5: Thuggery and Intimidation

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Narrative
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses thuggery and intimidation during elections, describing how violence and threats are used to manipulate outcomes. The teacher shares relevant examples.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and share their thoughts on how thuggery affects the fairness of elections.
Learning Point: Pupils identify thuggery and intimidation as forms of electoral malpractice.

Step 6: Financial Inducement & Dishonest Manifesto

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Elaboration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains financial inducement (vote-buying) and the use of fake or dishonest manifestos. The teacher discusses how these actions deceive voters and corrupt the process.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils engage in a brief discussion on the ethical implications of these practices.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about financial inducement and dishonest manifestos as electoral malpractices.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is electoral malpractice?
2. Mention three forms of electoral malpractice.
3. Explain what underage voting means.
4. How does financial inducement affect election results?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, reinforcing the importance of free and fair elections and discouraging electoral malpractices. The teacher assigns homework: “List two ways electoral malpractices can be prevented.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for further study.

Lesson Keywords

• Electoral Malpractice – Illegal acts done to manipulate or rig an election.
• Hoarding – Intentionally hiding or keeping electoral materials.
• Underage Voting – Voting by someone below the legal age of 18 years.
• Thuggery – Using violence and intimidation during elections.
• Financial Inducement – Offering money or gifts to influence votes.
• Manifesto – A public declaration of a political party’s or candidate’s policies.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher will encourage them to research recent examples of electoral malpractices in Nigeria. For pupils who need more support, the teacher will use simplified language and provide additional visual aids or real-life scenarios to explain each form of malpractice.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure that discussions remain objective and focus on the principles of fair elections rather than specific political parties or individuals. Encourage pupils to think critically about how electoral malpractices undermine democracy and good governance. Use local examples where appropriate to make the lesson relatable.