Abbas Withdraws Compulsory Voting Bill After Public Backlash
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has formally withdrawn a controversial bill proposing mandatory voting for all eligible Nigerians, following widespread public criticism and concerns over personal freedoms.
The bill, co-sponsored by Abbas and Hon. Daniel Asama Ago, sought to amend the Electoral Act 2022 with the aim of increasing voter turnout and strengthening democratic participation.
It had passed second reading in the House last Thursday, but immediately sparked intense national debate.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker explained that the decision to withdraw the bill was made after extensive consultations with various stakeholders and members of the public.
“From the start, the goal was to get more people involved in elections and strengthen democracy by boosting voter turnout,” the statement read.
“However, we have listened carefully to the views of Nigerians from all walks of life, and we believe that this is not the right time to pursue compulsory voting.”
The bill was criticized by many citizens and civil society groups who argued that mandatory voting could infringe on individual rights and would be difficult to enforce in a diverse and complex society like Nigeria.
While defending the rationale behind the bill, Abbas noted that several democratic countries, including Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, have implemented compulsory voting laws that have led to consistently high voter turnout.
Nonetheless, he emphasized that Nigeria must pursue reforms that are compatible with its unique political and cultural realities.
“Lawmaking is about serving the people, and any new law must respect personal freedom,” Abbas stated.
“We must find a Nigerian solution that balances civic responsibility with the fundamental rights of our citizens.”
He added that the government will now shift its focus toward initiatives that encourage voluntary voting, especially among young people and first-time voters.
“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 said.
Many Nigerians who opposed the bill had called on lawmakers to address more pressing electoral challenges, such as violence during elections, logistical failures, and widespread public distrust in the electoral process.
Critics argued that these factors, rather than apathy alone, are the real reasons for low voter turnout in the country.
Abbas Withdraws Compulsory Voting Bill After Public Backlash is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
