Abbas Withdraws Compulsory Voting Bill After Public Backlash

Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has withdrawn a controversial bill that sought to make voting mandatory for eligible Nigerians. The bill, which he co-sponsored with Daniel Ago, the lawmaker representing Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency of Plateau State, passed second reading in the House on May 15.

Ago, while leading the debate, argued that the bill aimed to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to address persistently low voter turnout across the country. According to him, mandatory voting would deepen civic engagement and strengthen democratic representation. The proposed legislation also included penalties for non-compliance—either a fine of ₦100,000 or a six-month jail term for eligible voters who failed to participate in elections.

Supporters of the bill pointed to countries like Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, where compulsory voting laws have reportedly kept voter participation rates above 90 percent. They argued that similar legislation in Nigeria would improve democratic participation and reduce voter apathy and vote buying.

However, the bill was met with swift and widespread criticism from civil society organisations and legal bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which labelled it as regressive and inconsistent with constitutional provisions on individual freedoms.

In a statement released on Monday through his special adviser on media and publicity, Musa Krishi, Abbas announced the bill’s withdrawal following “extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders.” He emphasized that the bill was introduced with good intentions but acknowledged that reforms must align with public sentiment and constitutional rights.

Abbas said that instead of compelling citizens to vote, future efforts would focus on positive incentives and innovative strategies to make voting more appealing and accessible. He added that the withdrawal allows room for further dialogue on how best to encourage voluntary participation while upholding democratic values.

With the bill now withdrawn, it is no longer expected to proceed through the legislative process.