The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen has officially withdrawn the bill that sought to amend the Electoral Act 2022 by making it mandatory for all eligible Nigerians to vote.
In a statement released yesterday (26, May 2025) by Tajudeen’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, he explained that the withdrawal came after broad consultations with key stakeholders.
He noted that although the bill, co-sponsored with Daniel Ago, the representative of Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, was presented with good intentions, it would no longer proceed. “From the beginning, the bill was introduced with sincere intentions—to enhance civic involvement and fortify our democracy by promoting greater voter turnout,” Tajudeen said.
He pointed out that compulsory voting has seen notable success in countries like Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, where voter participation rates have exceeded 90 percent. He also mentioned that nations such as Argentina and Singapore have adopted similar systems to ensure inclusivity during elections.
Tajudeen emphasized that instead of forcing citizens to vote, his focus would shift toward creating incentives and adopting creative solutions to make voting more appealing.
He stated, “However, the Speaker recognises that legislation must ultimately serve the people and that any changes to the law must uphold personal freedoms and reflect public opinion. Instead of enforcing voting, he is dedicated to pursuing beneficial incentives and innovative strategies that will encourage voluntary participation and make the process easier and more inviting for Nigerians.”
He added that the bill’s withdrawal would provide an opportunity for deeper discussions on how best to nurture a voluntary voting culture that aligns with democratic principles and respects individual rights.
The bill, which had already passed second reading in the House before it was retracted, faced criticism from citizens who argued that it violated constitutional rights.
Renowned legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olisa Agbakoba criticized the proposal, stating that he would choose imprisonment over compliance with such a law.
Commenting on the bill, Agbakoba said, “Take a look at the absurd proposal in the National Assembly about mandatory voting. If that bill passes, I would personally refuse to comply. I’ll claim conscientious objection. I’d rather be jailed for six months than follow it.”
He questioned the rationale behind the bill, adding, “Why does the National Assembly want to enforce compulsory voting? Why not instead ask why Nigerians are disinterested? What is the cause of the apathy?”
Another prominent Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, also rejected the bill, stating that Nigerians’ fundamental rights to privacy, freedom of thought, and conscience are safeguarded by constitutional provisions.
In a statement issued on May 19, 2025, titled Compulsory Voting is Not Enough, Falana said, “These constitutional sections protect Nigerians’ fundamental rights to privacy, freedom of thought and conscience, and the right to choose whether to register and vote in national and state elections.”
Falana further argued that the proponents of the bill, including the Speaker, may not have carefully considered relevant constitutional clauses. He asserted that if they had, they would have recognised that mandatory voting is unconstitutional, as it conflicts with Sections 37, 38, 77(2), 135(5), and 178(5) of the Nigerian Constitution.
