Which of the following is not an electoral malpractice?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which option is not an electoral malpractice. Electoral malpractice means any illegal or unfair act that interferes with the free, fair and credible conduct of an election.

Step 2: Explain the concept Electoral malpractices include:

• Impersonation: pretending to be another registered voter in order to vote in their name.
• Threatening (intimidation): using fear or violence to force voters, candidates, or officials to act in a certain way.
• Gerrymandering: drawing or manipulating constituency boundaries to give one party or candidate an unfair advantage.
• Others: ballot box snatching, multiple voting, vote buying, rigging, and falsifying results.

Step 3: Evaluate each option

• A. Impersonation: This is an offence, so it is a malpractice.
• B. Threatening: Voter intimidation is also a malpractice.
• C. Campaigning for a candidate: This is a legitimate part of the democratic process. Parties and supporters are allowed to campaign, as long as they do so within the period and rules set by the electoral body (INEC in Nigeria). It is not a malpractice.
• D. Gerrymandering: This is the unfair manipulation of constituency boundaries, so it is a malpractice.

Step 4: Answer The only option that is a normal, lawful part of elections is C. campaigning for a candidate.

Tip: When a question asks for the "NOT" option, look for the one that is lawful or normal. Words like impersonation, threatening, rigging, gerrymandering, and thuggery always point to malpractice, while campaigning, voting, and registration are legitimate activities. Do watch for campaigning outside the allowed period, though, because that can become an offence.