The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerian citizens.
The bill, sponsored by Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas, was debated during Thursday’s plenary session and received overwhelming support to proceed to the next legislative stage.
Nigeria has long grappled with low voter turnout. Despite having over 93 million registered voters for the 2023 general elections, only about 27% participated, raising concerns over democratic legitimacy and representation.
The proposed legislation aims to address voter apathy by mandating electoral participation. Proponents argue that the measure would promote civic responsibility and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process.
Speaker Abbas, while presenting the bill, noted that it would encourage broader participation in governance. He said the legislation would include provisions for voter education, improved access to polling units, and clear enforcement guidelines.
Globally, countries such as Australia, Belgium, and Brazil have adopted compulsory voting laws, often resulting in turnout rates exceeding 90%.
However, concerns were raised during the debate over the practicality of enforcing mandatory voting, especially in rural and insecure areas. Some lawmakers also expressed reservations about penalizing non-compliant citizens, citing potential infringements on personal freedoms.
Despite the objections, the bill was unanimously adopted through a voice vote and has been referred to the relevant committee for further consideration.
