DISENFRANCHISEMENT AS AN ALBATROSS TO CREDIBLE ELECTORAL PROCESS

Abstract

The right to vote otherwise known as the enfranchisement right is an inalienable right which should be sparingly taken away from citizens. The right has root in ancient socio-legal philosophy and has even been espoused by international and regional legal instruments. Some judicial authorities in several jurisdictions have also given judicial imprimatur to enfranchisement rights. Nonetheless, many jurisdictions justify the exclusion of certain persons from participation in the electoral process, while interpretation and application of laws create instances of disenfranchisement. The paper discusses the nature and scope of disenfranchisement, classes of disenfranchisement and justifications adopted by disenfranchisement protagonists. In conclusion it is advanced in the paper that disenfranchising a citizen is as condemnable as the denial of the other rights that are fundamental to the existence of persons in any civilized society.