The House of Representatives has withdrawn a controversial bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting compulsory and penalise eligible Nigerians who fail to vote in elections.
The bill, co-sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, and Hon. Daniel Adama Ago, had passed second reading two weeks ago. It proposed legal sanctions, including fines and possible jail terms, for citizens who fail to participate in elections.
However, the Speaker announced the withdrawal of the bill on Monday, following widespread public concerns and consultations with key stakeholders.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker clarified that the bill was introduced with the best intentions—to boost civic engagement and address Nigeria’s persistently low voter turnout.
“The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, 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,” the statement said.
The Speaker noted that compulsory voting has been successful in countries like Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, helping to maintain voter participation rates above 90 per cent. Similar models have been adopted in Argentina and Singapore to foster electoral inclusivity.
“Nevertheless, the Speaker acknowledges that lawmaking is ultimately about the people it serves and that any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment,” the statement added.
Rather than impose penalties, Abbas said the focus will shift to exploring positive incentives and innovative strategies to encourage greater electoral participation among Nigerians.
He emphasised that the bill’s withdrawal would create room for further dialogue on how best to foster a voluntary voting culture that aligns with democratic values and respects citizens’ rights.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to Make It Mandatory for All Nigerians of Majority Age to Vote in All National and State Elections and for Related Matters,” had proposed a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment or a fine of up to N100,000 for eligible Nigerians who fail to vote.
