The House of Representatives has officially withdrawn the controversial bill seeking to make voting mandatory for Nigerians, following intense public criticism and constitutional concerns.
The bill, co-sponsored by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Rep. Daniel Ago (Bassa/Jos North), aimed to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to enforce compulsory voting, with penalties including fines or up to six months in jail for non-compliance.
Speaker Tajudeen confirmed the withdrawal in a statement released Monday, May 26, through his media aide, Musa Krishi. He said the move followed broad consultations with stakeholders across the country.
“From the outset, the bill was introduced with the best of intentions — to boost civic engagement and strengthen our democracy through higher voter participation,” the statement read.
He cited examples of countries like Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Argentina, and Singapore, where compulsory voting has led to voter turnout rates of over 90%.
However, the Speaker acknowledged the public’s concerns and emphasized the need to respect citizens’ rights.
“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,” Tajudeen stated. He added that the focus will now shift to positive incentives and innovative methods to encourage voter participation.
The bill had faced sharp criticism from legal experts and civil society groups, many of whom labelled it unconstitutional. Critics argued that voter education and trust-building are more effective than coercion in driving electoral participation.
Some Nigerians supported the idea of compulsory voting as a way to improve turnout, but many viewed the penalties as harsh and undemocratic, calling instead for reforms that promote accountability and security in governance.
This move comes shortly after the House also rejected a separate bill proposing rotational presidency among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones — another decision that sparked national debate.
