The Speaker explained that “from the outset, the Bill was introduced with the best of intentions, to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout

By Titilope Adako

In a surprising move, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has withdrawn the contentious Compulsory Voting Bill following intense backlash.

According to a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the decision was made after extensive consultations with various stakeholders.

The bill, co-sponsored by Hon. Daniel Adama Ago, aimed to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting mandatory for eligible Nigerians.

As the statement noted, “following extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, he has decided to withdraw the Bill to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians, which he co-sponsored with Hon. Daniel Adama Ago.”

The Speaker explained that “from the outset, the Bill was introduced with the best of intentions, to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout.”

Citing examples, the statement added, “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 per cent, while nations like Argentina and Singapore have also implemented similar measures to foster inclusivity at the ballot box.”

Speaker Abbas emphasized, “lawmaking is ultimately about the people and that any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment.”

He further stated, “Rather than compel participation, he said he was committed to exploring positive incentives and innovative approaches that will make voting more attractive and accessible to all Nigerians.”

The Speaker concluded, “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”.

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