The National Assembly has withdrawn from a proposed legislation aimed at mandating compulsory voting.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, announced the withdrawal of the bill on Monday.
The bill, co-sponsored by Hon. Daniel Asama Ago, sought to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to enforce voting as a civic obligation for all eligible Nigerians.
In a statement issued Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker announced that the decision was taken following “extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders.”
“From the outset, the bill was introduced with the best of intentions—to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout,” the statement read.
The bill had passed second reading in the House on March 21, 2024, triggering widespread debate. Critics raised concerns about personal freedoms especially in a society like Nigeria.
Speaker Abbas defended the original intent of the bill by pointing to countries such as Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, where he said compulsory voting has maintained participation levels above 90 per cent. He noted that Argentina and Singapore have adopted similar frameworks.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that Nigeria’s democratic reforms must reflect the nation’s realities and values. “Lawmaking is ultimately about the people it serves, and any reform must respect individual freedoms,” he said.
Rather than mandate participation, the Speaker expressed a commitment to non-coercive alternatives that would inspire civic responsibility, particularly among the youth.
“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,” the statement said.