The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has stepped back from a proposed bill that sought to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians.
The bill, which he jointly sponsored with Daniel Asama Ago, aimed to amend the Electoral Act 2022 in a bid to boost electoral participation and reinforce democratic values.
In a statement released on Monday by his media aide, Musa Krishi, the Speaker said the decision to withdraw the bill was taken after extensive consultations with citizens and stakeholders nationwide.
“From the start, the goal was to get more people involved in elections and strengthen democracy by boosting voter turnout,” the statement said.
Although the bill had successfully passed its second reading in the House on Thursday, it quickly became a topic of heated debate. While some Nigerians backed the idea, believing it could improve voter participation, others raised concerns that such a law would infringe on individual freedoms and pose enforcement challenges in Nigeria’s diverse setting.
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Citing examples from other nations, Abbas noted that mandatory voting in places like Australia, Belgium, and Brazil has led to impressive voter engagement. However, he emphasized that Nigeria must carve out a path that aligns with its unique context and citizenry.
“Lawmaking is about serving the people, and any new law must respect personal freedom,” Abbas said.
Rather than mandating participation, he explained that efforts would now focus on encouraging electoral involvement, particularly among youth and those voting for the first time.
“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.
Many Nigerians had voiced opposition to the bill, calling on lawmakers to prioritize addressing critical issues like electoral violence, mistrust in the political process, and logistical failures on election days—factors they say discourage voter turnout.
