ELECTIONS AND VOTE TRADING IN THE 2007 GOVERNMENT ELECTION IN ANAMBRA STATE

Vote trading during elections have become a culture in Nigeria. Extant perspectives on vote buying have produced several arguments around the causes of vote trading which include the factors of poverty, old age, illiteracy, lack of proper infrastructure, the nature of politics and corruption in the state. Going beyond these perspectives, this study presents the argument that vote trading is as a result of lack of trust and voter apathy among citizens. This work focuses particularly on vote trading as it occurred during the 18 November 2017 governorship election in Anambra State. The Rational Choice theory was adopted to properly explain the study. A mixed method of data collection was employed for the study. Data triangulated with interview. The target population for this study consists of potential voters in Awka, Anambra State. A sample size of sixty (60) was chosen for the administration of the questionnaire and for the qualitative aspect of the research the HOD, Voter Education and Publicity in INEC, Anambra was interviewed to support the data. Key findings from this research study shows a relationship between vote trading, and lack of trust and voter apathy. This study suggests that a statutory independent political party auditing body should be established to complement INEC in enforcing election expenses limits stipulated in Electoral Act and that all electoral offenders be punished according to the law. Keywords: Anambra, Elections, Lack of trust, Politicians, Vote trading, Voter Apathy