The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has formally retracted a proposed amendment to the Electoral Act 2022, which sought to mandate compulsory voting for all eligible Nigerian citizens.
The contentious bill, which had just cleared its second reading, sought to impose penalties—including a ₦100,000 fine or up to six months’ imprisonment—on eligible voters who abstained from participating in elections.
The proposal sparked significant public outcry, with numerous Nigerians and opposition legislators raising concerns about its constitutionality and feasibility.
Facing mounting criticism, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced the bill’s withdrawal on Monday. His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, conveyed the decision in a statement, emphasizing the necessity for more extensive consultations before moving forward.
“The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, wishes to inform the public that, following extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, he has decided to withdraw the Bill to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians, which he co-sponsored with Hon. Daniel Asama Ago,” the statement read.
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According to Abbas, the bill was originally introduced with good intentions to improve democratic participation.
“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. 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,” the statement added.
The Speaker, however, acknowledged that legislative reform must align with public sentiment and uphold personal freedoms.
“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.”
The statement concluded that the withdrawal would pave the way for more inclusive dialogue on promoting voter turnout. It added that the withdrawal would allow time for further discussions on how best to cultivate a culture of voluntary participation that respects both democratic ideals and citizens’ rights.