Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives has withdrawn a bill he sponsored, which proposes to make voting in elections mandatory for all eligible citizens.
The Bill which sought to amend the Electoral Act 2022 was co-sponsored with Daniel Asama Ago. The Bill was initially stepped down by the House on May 15, though members agreed to revisit it.
The Speaker said the withdrawal follows extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders. “From the outset, the Bill was introduced with the best of intentions, which is to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout. 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.â€, the Speaker stated on Monday.
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He noted that 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 percent, while nations like Argentina and Singapore have also implemented similar measures to foster inclusivity at the ballot box.
Nevertheless, the Speaker acknowledged that lawmaking is ultimately about the people it serves, and that any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment.
Rather than compel participation, Abbas expressed commitment to exploring positive incentives and innovative approaches that will make voting more attractive and accessible to all Nigerians.
