Speaker Abbas Pulls Back Mandatory Voting Bill Amid Public Concerns
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has officially withdrawn the proposed bill seeking to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians.
In a statement released on Monday by his media aide, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker revealed that the decision followed wide-ranging consultations with various stakeholders. The bill, which aimed to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to enforce mandatory voting, was co-sponsored by Hon. Daniel Adama Ago.
According to Abbas, the proposal was driven by a genuine desire to deepen democratic participation and enhance voter turnout across the country. “The idea was inspired by successful examples from countries like Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, where mandatory voting has significantly boosted civic involvement,” the statement explained, also referencing similar practices in Argentina and Singapore.
However, the Speaker acknowledged that meaningful legislation must align with public sentiment and uphold individual liberties. He emphasized that while the bill was well-intentioned, it is important that any reform encourages voluntary engagement rather than imposes participation.
Moving forward, Abbas pledged to focus on developing alternative strategies—such as voter education, outreach, and incentives—to make electoral participation more appealing and accessible.
“This step back creates room for further discussions on how we can build a culture of voluntary voter participation that reflects the spirit of democracy and respects personal freedom,”he stated.
