Analysis of Readers Comments on 2019 General Elections Irregularities Published in Nigerian Online Newspapers

Abstract

The research was a study on analysis of readers’ comments on electoral irregularities at the 2019 general elections. The aim amongst others was to find out from the opinions, the dominant irregularities committed at the exercise, determine the solutions commenter’s offer to curb elections irregularities and to find out if readers abuse the comments section of online newspapers. Content analysis was adopted as research method, while coding sheets was used as instrument of data collection. A total of 42 editions of the selected newspapers were coded. The population of the study was 4739 which consist of all the readers ‘comments on all the news stories published within the period of study were all sampled. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, simple table and percentages. Findings revealed that readers comment agree on one thing concerning electoral irregularities at the 2019 elections exercise. Findings also showed that the dominant irregularities at the exercise were more of violence and ballot snatching. More so, readers abused the comment section of the newspapers with abusive words and name calling. Further findings revealed that the solutions offered to elections irregularities were negative and not workable. The study therefore recommends that newspaper websites should have layed down rules for posting of comments on their platform and to have an app on their websites to deactivate such post, so as to avoid hate speeches unauthorized advert posts the study further recommends digitized voting system and amendment of the electoral act amongst others