Administrative Barriers and Electoral Participation: Evidence from Nigeria’s 2023 Presidential Election

This paper investigates the impact of bureaucratic hurdles, particularly the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection process and polling unit re-distribution, on voter turnout in Nigeria's 2023 general election. Using sub-national data, it argues that these administrative bottlenecks functioned as de facto barriers to political agency, disproportionately affecting vulnerable demographics and contributing to the historically low turnout observed in the 2023 polls. The study provides recommendations for institutional reforms to enhance the inclusivity of Nigeria's electoral infrastructure.