Posted by Chester Morton / Sunday 25 December 2016 / No comments
How citizens participate in the political process of their country
Definition of political participation
Political participation can be defined as the voluntary
activities of the citizens of a country in selecting rulers to formulate and
implement policies on behalf of the people.
HOW CITIZENS
PARTICIPATE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS
Political discussions
There are political programmes on radio, television and at
symposia to discuss issues of national interest. Radio and television panelists
who engage in these discussions are said to be taking part in the political
process. National issues are tabled before the panelists and they are expected
to express their opinion of those matters. As they do so, they are
participating in the political process of the state.
Political rallies
One of the means by which political parties galvanize their
support base for elections is through political rallies. At such functions, party
leaders educate the voters on how to vote and why they must vote for a
particular party. Attendance of such political party functions can be
considered as participation in the political process.
Holding political office
One of the ways in which citizens of a state participate in
the political process of their country is through periodic elections.
Periodically, political office holders or those aspiring for the offices put
themselves up to be elected by the people. As they contest for these positions,
they are engaged in the political process.
Exercising the franchise
Those who vie for political office have to be voted for
before they can come to power. It is the electorates who vote for them during
the elections. As these electorates exercise their franchise to elect political
office holders, they are also participating in the political process of their
country.
Activities of electoral officers
When periodic elections are being held, there are certain
election officials which the Electoral Commission of the state engages to
supervise the election. Apart from that, there are political party representatives
who add another layer of free and fairness to the entire political process. As
these election officials do their assigned works, they are seen to be
participating in the political process.
Activities of pressure groups
The main aim of pressure groups is to influence government
policy in favour of their members. Pressure groups sometimes use demonstrations
and boycotts to achieve their aim. As the members of pressure groups engage in
their various methods to achieve their aim, they are also deemed to be
participating in the political process.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. a. What is political participation?
b. Highlight five
ways in which citizens can participate in the political process of their
country.
