Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has withdrawn a controversial bill seeking to make voting compulsory for eligible Nigerians, following intense criticism from civil society groups and legal experts.
The bill, co-sponsored by Abbas and Daniel Ago, who represents Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency of Plateau State, had scaled second reading in the House on May 15. It aimed to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to address low voter turnout by introducing mandatory voting backed by sanctions.
Leading the debate at the time, Ago argued that compulsory voting would boost civic engagement, enhance representation, and reduce electoral malpractices such as vote buying.
“Compulsory voting law would increase civic engagement and voter participation, making electoral involvement a legal obligation rather than a personal choice,” he said. “It would strengthen democracy by improving representation, foster a more politically aware country, and reduce vote buying.”
The proposed legislation recommended a six-month jail term or a fine of N100,000 for eligible voters who failed to cast their ballots during elections.
However, the bill was met with widespread condemnation. Civil society organisations and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) described it as “regressive” and contrary to constitutional principles.
In a statement issued on Monday by Musa Krishi, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Abbas said the decision to withdraw the bill was made after “extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders.”
“From the outset, the bill was introduced with the best intentions, which is to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout,” the statement read.
“Compulsory voting has long been practised with notable success in countries such as Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, where it has helped sustain participation rates above 90 per cent. Nations like Argentina and Singapore have also implemented similar measures to foster inclusivity at the ballot box.
“Nevertheless, the Speaker acknowledges that lawmaking is ultimately about the people it serves and that any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment.
“Rather than compel participation, he is committed to exploring positive incentives and innovative approaches that will make voting more attractive and accessible to all Nigerians.”
Abbas said the withdrawal would pave the way for more inclusive discussions on how to encourage voluntary voter participation that upholds democratic values and respects citizens’ rights.
With the bill now withdrawn, no further legislative action is expected.
Boluwatife Enome
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