VOTERS APATHY DURING STUDENTS’ UNION ELECTIONS: IMPLICATION FOR SOCIAL STUDIES AND POLITICAL SCIENCE STUDENTS

Abstract

The study assesses the implication of voter apathy during students’ union elections on Social Studies and Political Science Students. Three (4) research questions were raised and answered in the study. The study adopted descriptive research design. The target population of the study consists of all Social Studies and Political Science of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State. Six hundred and twenty (620) students were selected for the study, using purposive and stratified random sampling techniques. A self designed questionnaire tagged “Students and Voting Apathy Questionnaire” (SVAQ) was used to obtain information from the respondents. The data were analysed using descriptive analysis of frequency, percentage mean and standard deviation. The finding showed that voting apathy among social studies and political science students during students’ union elections is unabated; popular students inclination that voting during students’ union election is voluntary exercise; that students have negative perception about candidates fulfilling their electoral promises; and that Social Studies and Political Science have influence on students active participation and voting during student unions’ election. The study recommended that voting during students’ union election should be made compulsory for the students of Social Studies and Political Science and that management of higher institution of learning must adopt e-voting to de-radicalise students’ election and enhance active participation of students’ confidence of students in voting during student union election.