The compulsory voting bill has been withdrawn by the Speaker of the House of Representatives
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has announced the withdrawal of a bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians, which he co-sponsored with Rep. Daniel Asama Ago.
The bill’s withdrawal was disclosed on Monday by the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi. He stated that the action was taken after extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders.
According to the statement, Speaker Abbas insisted that from the outset, the bill was introduced with the best of intentions, which is to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout.
He acknowledged that lawmaking is ultimately about the people it serves, and that any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment.
“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, while nations like Argentina and Singapore have also implemented similar measures to foster inclusivity at the ballot box,” Speaker Abbas said
“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.” he emphasized adding that the 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.
Parliament Reports recalls that the bill passed its second reading in the House of Representatives on May 15, 2025, after extensive debate.
The bill proposed penalties for non-compliance, including a fine of up to ₦100,000 or imprisonment for up to six months.
Despite initial legislative support, the bill faced immediate and widespread criticism from civil society organizations, legal experts, and the general public. Key concerns raised included:
- The bill was perceived as an infringement on personal freedoms and civil liberties.
- Questions about the enforceability of such a law in Nigeria’s diverse and complex society.
- Arguments that the bill was “draconian,” “unconstitutional,” and contrary to the principles of voluntary democratic participation.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) described the bill as regressive and a violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.
Yiaga’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo, also argued that although the bill seeks to address low voter turnout, the lawmakers’ approach represents a serious violation of Nigerians’ fundamental rights.
Parliament Reports noted that this is the second time Speaker Abbas is withdrawing controversial bills he proposed in the House. In August 2024, he withdrew a bill that would have allowed the jailing of people who embarrass or disrespect government officials.
