The Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has officially withdrawn a controversial legislative proposal that aimed to introduce compulsory voting for all eligible citizens in the country. The bill, which had progressed to its second reading, faced significant opposition and sparked a nationwide debate on civic duties and individual freedoms.

The proposed legislation, co-sponsored by Speaker Abbas and Daniel Asama Ago, the lawmaker representing Bassa/Jos North federal constituency of Plateau State, sought to amend Section 46 of the Electoral Act. If enacted, it would have made it mandatory for all registered voters aged 18 and above to participate in national and state elections. Non-compliance would have resulted in penalties, including a fine of up to N100,000 or a prison sentence of up to six months.

According to a statement from the Speaker's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdillahi Krishi, the bill was initially introduced with the positive intention of bolstering civic engagement and strengthening Nigeria's democracy by increasing voter turnout. The statement highlighted that compulsory voting systems have seen success in other nations such as Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, where participation rates often exceed 90 percent, and have also been implemented in countries like Argentina and Singapore to foster inclusivity.

However, the bill was met with strong criticism from a broad spectrum of Nigerian society, including prominent civil society organisations (CSOs) like YIAGA Africa, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). This widespread public outcry led Speaker Abbas to withdraw the bill following extensive consultations with stakeholders. The Speaker acknowledged that lawmaking must ultimately serve the people and respect individual freedoms and public sentiment. The withdrawal is intended to provide an opportunity for further dialogue on how to best cultivate a culture of voluntary participation that aligns with democratic ideals.

YIAGA Africa, through its executive director Samson Itodo, commended the Speaker's decision, describing it as an act of "responsive legislative leadership and respect for the will of the people." Itodo argued that while the bill aimed to address Nigeria's historically low voter turnout, making voting a legal obligation punishable by sanctions would have effectively criminalised a constitutionally guaranteed right and undermined the foundations of democracy. Instead of compelling participation, YIAGA Africa urged the National Assembly to prioritise other critical electoral reforms.

These suggested reforms include the mandatory electronic transmission of election results, the introduction of early voting mechanisms for election officials, journalists, security personnel, and accredited observers, the establishment of legal timelines for concluding election petitions before the swearing-in of elected officials, and the creation of an electoral offences commission. YIAGA Africa believes such measures would help rebuild public trust, enhance election integrity, and remove structural and systemic barriers to participation.

Following the bill's withdrawal, Speaker Abbas has expressed a commitment to exploring positive incentives and innovative approaches to make voting more attractive and accessible to all Nigerians, rather than resorting to compulsion. YIAGA Africa has also reiterated its commitment to engaging with the National Assembly to ensure the passage of electoral amendments that protect citizens’ rights and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.