Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has officially withdrawn a proposed bill that sought to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians.
The bill, which he co-sponsored with lawmaker Daniel Asama Ago, aimed to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to improve voter turnout and deepen democratic participation. However, it sparked significant public debate after passing second reading in the House last Thursday.
In a statement released on Monday by his media aide, Musa Krishi, Speaker Abbas said the decision to withdraw the bill followed consultations with various stakeholders across the country.
“From the beginning, the bill’s goal was to increase voter participation and strengthen democracy,” the statement noted.
While some Nigerians supported the proposal as a way to improve electoral engagement, others criticized it for potentially infringing on personal freedoms and being difficult to implement in a country as diverse as Nigeria.
Abbas acknowledged that countries like Australia, Belgium, and Brazil have benefited from mandatory voting but emphasized that Nigeria must adopt solutions tailored to its unique context.
“Lawmaking should serve the people. Any policy must respect personal freedoms,” he stated.
Going forward, Abbas said the government will explore alternative ways to boost voter participation, particularly among youth and first-time voters.
“The withdrawal allows for broader discussions on building a culture of voluntary voting—one that strengthens democracy while upholding citizens’ rights,” he added.
Critics of the bill had called on leaders to focus instead on resolving issues that discourage voter participation, such as election-day violence, lack of trust in the system, and poor logistical planning.
