House Speaker Withdraws Mandatory Voting Bill Amid National Opposition

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has formally withdrawn a controversial bill proposing mandatory voting for all eligible Nigerian citizens. The legislation, co-sponsored with Daniel Asama Ago, sought to amend the Electoral Act 2022 in a bid to increase voter participation and fortify democratic engagement.

A statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Musa Krishi, revealed that the decision followed extensive consultations with stakeholders nationwide. “From the start, the goal was to get more people involved in elections and strengthen democracy by boosting voter turnout,” the statement noted.

Though the bill had advanced to its second reading in the House last Thursday, it elicited sharp divisions across the public sphere. While some proponents argued it could enhance electoral participation, critics condemned it as an infringement on civil liberties and impractical in Nigeria’s socio-political context.

Speaker Abbas acknowledged the effectiveness of compulsory voting in countries such as Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, yet emphasized that Nigeria must adopt a model attuned to its unique realities. “Lawmaking is about serving the people, and any new law must respect personal freedom,” he asserted.

He further noted that rather than enforcing participation, efforts would now focus on fostering voluntary electoral engagement—particularly among youth and first-time voters. “This withdrawal gives us time to talk more about how to build a culture of voluntary voting that supports our democracy and respects citizens’ rights,” he added.

The bill faced significant backlash from Nigerians, who urged lawmakers to prioritize the resolution of systemic challenges such as electoral violence, public distrust in the process, and logistical failures—factors widely seen as primary deterrents to voter turnout.