The bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act (2002) to make it mandatory for all eligible Nigerians to vote in all national and state elections has been withdrawn from the House of Representatives.
The bill sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen and Daniel Ago had scaled second reading in the House of Representatives before it was withdrawn on Monday.
The bill sought to curb voter apathy during elections and punish eligible Nigerians who failed to participate during elections.
It sought to amend the relative provisions of the Electoral Act of 2022 to reflect the obligations while also allowing for limitation and justified exemptions where necessary.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, in Abuja on Monday, Abbas said the withdrawal was decided 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 Rep. Ago.
“From the outset, the Bill was introduced with the best of intentions, which is to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout,” he said.
He said that compulsory voting had long been practised with notable success in countries such as Australia, Belgium and Brazil.
According to him, it has helped sustain participation rates above 90 per cent, while nations like Argentina and Singapore have also implemented similar measures to foster inclusivity at the ballot box.
The speaker however, acknowledged that lawmaking is ultimately about the people it serves, and that any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment.
“Rather than compel participation, he is committed to exploring positive incentives and innovative approaches that will make voting more attractive and accessible to all Nigerians.”
“This withdrawal would 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.”
