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Digital Broadcasting Network and the Emerging Democratic Culture in Nigeria: The 2021 Anambra Guber Debate Experience

Series of election debates made available to the masses through the use of digital broadcast media technologies have been conducted in different places among different candidates running for different elective positions in different countries. As part of the political activities preceding the elections, the impact of these election debate aired through digital broadcasting technology on the voting decision of the citizens have not been examined Nigeria. Against this background, this study evaluated exposure to 2021 gubernatorial election debate and its influence on voting decision and choice of candidate among residents of Awka metropolis. The democratic participant theory was used while the survey research method was adopted in surveying 400 respondents sampled from Awka metropolis. Findings demonstrated that election debate influence voting decision and encourage candidate evaluation among the respondents. It was concluded that election debate is an important election activity that benefits both the electorate and the candidates. It was also found that the use of digital broadcast technology was applauded by the respondents for is capacity in strengthening democracy. It was recommended among others, that election debate should be made compulsory for all candidates running for all elective positions in Nigeria.