Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has officially withdrawn the controversial bill seeking to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians.
The proposed legislation, which would have amended the Electoral Act 2022, was co-sponsored with Hon. Daniel Asama Ago and initially introduced as a tool to combat voter apathy.
In a public statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Speaker Abbas confirmed that the decision followed extensive consultations with a broad range of stakeholders including civil society groups, electoral experts, and members of the public.
“From the outset, the bill was introduced with the best of intentions — to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy,” the Speaker said.
The bill had proposed a six-month jail term or an N100,000 fine for eligible voters who failed to participate in elections. Proponents argued that it would help improve Nigeria’s historically low voter turnout, which in the 2023 general elections stood at just over 27%.
While citing the success of similar laws in Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, where voter turnout often exceeds 90%, Speaker Abbas acknowledged that forced participation could infringe on individual liberties. Countries like Argentina and Singapore, he added, had also implemented such systems with varying results.
“Lawmaking is ultimately about the people it serves,” Abbas noted. “Any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment.”
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The bill’s withdrawal marks the second time Speaker Abbas has pulled back controversial legislation within a year. In August 2024, he also dropped a proposal prescribing jail terms for individuals who refused to sing the national anthem, after it faced heavy public ridicule and criticism from rights groups.
Critics of the Mandatory Voting Bill — including SERAP (Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project) — had earlier described the measure as “draconian” and “unconstitutional,” urging the National Assembly to promote civic education and electoral reform instead of coercion.
Speaker Abbas now says he is committed to exploring positive incentives, such as voter education, improved access to polling units, and digital innovations that can make the voting process easier and more attractive to Nigerians.
“This withdrawal will allow time for further dialogue on how best to cultivate a culture of voluntary participation that honours both our democratic ideals and the rights of our citizens,” he said.
As Nigeria prepares for future off-cycle elections in several states, electoral stakeholders are expected to re-engage the National Assembly on long-term strategies to encourage civic participation, especially among young voters.
The Conclave
