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Difficulty: MediumFranchise and Suffrage

The introduction of the elective principle under the Clifford Constitution of 1922 marked a significant milestone in Nigeria's constitutional development. Which of the following best describes the main restriction placed on the franchise during this era?

  1. Voting rights were restricted to adult male residents of Lagos and Calabar who met a specific property and gross annual income qualification.Answer
  2. B
    Franchise was extended nationwide to all adult citizens regardless of gender, regional location, or personal wealth.
  3. C
    Electoral participation transferred ultimate legal sovereignty over national policy from the imperial governor to the voting populace.
  4. D
    Suffrage was granted automatically to foreign residents as soon as they satisfied residency requirements for naturalization.

Answer

Voting rights were restricted to adult male residents of Lagos and Calabar who met a specific property and gross annual income qualification.
The correct answer accurately states the conditions of the elective principle introduced under the 1922 Clifford Constitution. Franchise was not universal; it was limited geographically to Lagos and Calabar, restricted to males, and required an annual income qualification of £100.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the historical context of franchise under the 1922 Clifford Constitution.
The 1922 Clifford Constitution introduced the elective principle to Nigeria, creating elected seats on the Legislative Council for the first time.
Understanding the constitutional framework is necessary to evaluate the legal scope of electoral rights at the time.
2
Analyze the qualifications and geographical limits imposed on voters.
The elective principle applied only to Lagos (3 seats) and Calabar (1 seat). Eligible voters were required to be male adults who had resided in the area for 12 months and possessed a gross annual income of at least £100.
This confirms that the franchise was restricted by geography, gender, and financial status rather than being universal.

Key Concept

Restricted Franchise and the Elective Principle
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Franchise and Suffrage

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