THE House of Representatives has announced the withdrawal of a controversial bill that sought to amend the Electoral Act 2022 and make voting compulsory for eligible Nigerians following widespread public outcry.
The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, announced the withdrawal of the bill on Monday, May 26, in a statement, noting that the decision followed consultations with key stakeholders.
The ICIR reported that the bill was co-sponsored by the Speaker and Daniel Asama Ago, and had passed its second reading. It proposed penalties, including potential jail terms, for citizens who failed to vote in elections.
It imposed a maximum of six months imprisonment or a fine of no more than N100,000 for Nigerians of voting age who fail to vote during elections.
Prominent human rights lawyers and civil society groups were quick to condemn the bill. They called it unconstitutional.
Human Rights lawyers Femi Falana, Olisa Agbakoba, Yiaga Africa, an election observation and civic advocacy organisation, disapproved of the bill in separate statements.
In the latest statement, the Speaker said the bill was introduced with the best intentions to boost civic engagement and address low voter turnout, which has plagued recent electoral cycles in Nigeria.
“The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, 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, which he co-sponsored with Daniel Asama Ago.
The speaker explained that the bill was introduced to bolster civic engagement and strengthen democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout, copying from countries like Australia, Belgium and Brazil.
“Compulsory voting has long been practised with notable success in countries such as Australia, Belgium and Brazil, where 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 said.
Tajudeen noted that he acknowledged that lawmaking is ultimately about the people and that any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment. Rather than compel participation, he said he was committed to exploring positive incentives and innovative approaches that would make voting more attractive and accessible to all Nigerians.
The Speaker stated that the withdrawal would create room for further dialogue on how to best foster a culture of voluntary participation that respects both democratic values and the rights of citizens.
It’s worth recalling that this public outcry echoes a similar backlash in 2024, when the same Speaker who sponsored this bill was forced to withdraw a controversial bill he proposed and was widely condemned for threatening free speech and silencing dissent.
The Counter Subversion Bill, which had reached the first reading in parliament, was pulled back by Abbas, after widespread condemnation by Nigerians.
The bill, introduced in July 2024, included 24 clauses that proposed harsh penalties for a range of activities deemed subversive. Among the most contentious measures was a 10-year prison sentence or a hefty fine for refusing to recite the national anthem, and a five-year sentence for erecting illegal roadblocks or organising unauthorised protests and curfews.
Nanji is an investigative journalist with the ICIR. She has years of experience in reporting and broadcasting human angle stories, gender inequalities, minority stories, and human rights issues.