The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Abbas Tajudeen, has announced the withdrawal of the controversial Compulsory Voting Bill.
In a statement issued Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker explained 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, which he co-sponsored with Hon. Daniel Adama Ago.”
According to Abbas, the Bill was initially introduced with the best intentions, aiming “to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout.”
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He noted that compulsory voting has been successfully practiced in countries like Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, where it helps maintain participation rates above 90%, and similar measures exist in nations like Argentina and Singapore to foster inclusivity.
However, Speaker Abbas acknowledged that lawmaking ultimately serves the people, and any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment.
He stated his commitment to exploring positive incentives and innovative approaches to make voting more attractive and accessible to all Nigerians, rather than compelling participation.
He added, “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.”
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