By peterside Rejoice Eneky
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has withdrawn a controversial bill that sought to amend the Electoral Act to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians, following widespread criticism and national debate.
The bill, which proposed a fine of up to N100,000 or imprisonment for up to six months for failure to vote in national and state elections, passed second reading in the House on May 20, 2025. It was co-sponsored by Speaker Abbas and Hon. Daniel Asama Ago.
However, in a statement issued by the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, on Tuesday, May 27, Abbas announced the withdrawal of the bill, citing the need for broader consensus and sensitivity to public opinion.
“From the outset, the bill was introduced with the best of intentions, which was to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout,” the statement read.
The bill had aimed to amend Section 46 of the Electoral Act to mandate that all citizens aged 18 and above must vote during general elections. According to the original text, non-compliance would constitute a punishable offence, with violators facing a fine or imprisonment.
Krishi noted that while compulsory voting has seen success in countries like Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Argentina, and Singapore where voter participation consistently exceeds 90% the Nigerian context demands a more nuanced approach.
“The Speaker acknowledges that lawmaking is ultimately about the people it serves and that any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment,” he stated.
The bill sparked immediate backlash from civil society organizations, legal practitioners, human rights activists, and concerned citizens. Critics described it as undemocratic, coercive, and out of touch with Nigeria’s current electoral challenges, including insecurity, voter disenfranchisement, and lack of trust in the electoral process.
Many argued that instead of penalizing citizens for not voting, lawmakers should focus on making elections more credible, secure, and transparent, while addressing structural barriers to participation such as poor voter education and logistical shortcomings by the electoral commission.
In response to these concerns, Speaker Abbas assured the public of his continued commitment to democratic principles and vowed to pursue alternative strategies to enhance voter participation.
“Rather than compel participation through punitive measures, he is committed to exploring positive incentives and innovative approaches that will make voting more attractive and accessible to all Nigerians,” the statement added.
The withdrawal of the bill, according to legislative analysts, underscores the influence of civic voices in shaping public policy and highlights the importance of participatory democracy.
The Speaker concluded by reaffirming the House’s readiness to engage in further consultations and dialogue on how best to build a political culture where Nigerians willingly exercise their civic duty.
The Compulsory Voting Bill had proposed that:
“It shall be mandatory for all registered voters who have attained the majority age of 18 and above to vote in all national and state elections. A person who refuses to perform this civic duty commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N100,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.”
The proposal, though short-lived, has reignited national discourse on electoral reforms, voter apathy, and the role of government in strengthening democratic institutions.
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