The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has withdrawn a bill seeking to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians.
The proposed legislation, co-sponsored with Daniel Asama Ago, aimed to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to boost voter turnout and strengthen the country’s democratic processes.
In a statement released on Monday by his media aide, Musa Krishi, the Speaker said the decision followed wide consultations with individuals and groups across the country.
“From the start, the goal was to get more people involved in elections and strengthen democracy by boosting voter turnout,” the statement read.
The bill had passed second reading in the House on Thursday, but it triggered mixed reactions. While some supported it as a means to improve participation in elections, others criticised it as an infringement on personal freedom and questioned its feasibility in a country as diverse as Nigeria.
Citing examples from countries such as Australia, Belgium, and Brazil where compulsory voting has resulted in higher voter participation, Abbas acknowledged that Nigeria must adopt a system that aligns with its unique realities.
“Lawmaking is about serving the people, and any new law must respect personal freedom,” he said.
He added that rather than enforcing mandatory voting, efforts would now shift towards encouraging electoral participation, particularly among youths and first-time voters.
“This withdrawal gives us time to talk more about how to build a culture of voluntary voting that supports our democracy and respects citizens’ rights,” Abbas stated.
Public opposition to the bill had been strong, with many Nigerians urging lawmakers to address underlying issues affecting voter turnout, such as electoral violence, distrust in the system, and poor election-day logistics.
