The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has declared the retraction of the bill intended to amend the Electoral Act 2022, which sought to mandate voting for all eligible Nigerians.
Tajudeen made this announcement in a statement that was signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, and was provided to the News source on Monday.
He indicated that the decision was made after extensive discussions with stakeholders, noting, however, that the bill, which he co-sponsored alongside the member representing Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, Daniel Ago, was introduced with the “best of intentions”.
“From the beginning, the bill was presented with the best of intentions, aimed at enhancing civic engagement and fortifying our democracy by promoting increased voter turnout.
“Mandatory voting has been successfully implemented in countries such as Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, where it has contributed to maintaining participation rates above 90 percent, while countries like Argentina and Singapore have also adopted similar strategies to encourage inclusivity at the polls,” he stated.
Tajudeen expressed that instead of enforcing participation, he is dedicated to investigating positive incentives and innovative methods that would render voting more appealing.
He remarked, “Nonetheless, the Speaker recognizes that legislation ultimately concerns the populace it serves and that any reform must honor individual liberties and public opinion. Instead of enforcing participation, he is devoted to seeking positive incentives and innovative strategies that will enhance the attractiveness and accessibility of voting for all Nigerians.
“This withdrawal will provide an opportunity for further discussions on the best ways to foster a culture of voluntary participation that respects both our democratic principles and the rights of our citizens.
The legislation, which had already progressed to the second reading prior to its retraction in the House, faced criticism from Nigerians who labeled it as unconstitutional.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olisa Agbakoba, while denouncing the bill, expressed that he would prefer imprisonment over adherence to such a law. Agbakoba stated, “Consider the absurd proposal in the National Assembly regarding mandatory voting.
“If that legislation were to be enacted, I would declare, ‘Agbakoba, we will not comply with it.’ I will invoke conscientious objection. I would rather serve six months in prison than follow it,” he remarked.
“Why would the National Assembly seek to enforce compulsory voting? Why not turn the question around and ask, Why are Nigerians disinterested? What is the cause of this apathy?”
Human rights attorney and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, asserted that the fundamental rights of Nigerians to privacy, freedom of thought, and conscience are safeguarded by constitutional provisions.
Falana, in a statement released on May 19, 2025, titled ‘Compulsory Voting is Not Enough’, remarked, “The aforementioned constitutional provisions safeguard the fundamental rights of the Nigerian populace to privacy, freedom of thought and conscience, as well as the right to register and vote in national and state elections held in Nigeria.
“Nevertheless, it is questionable whether the Speaker and his associates have given adequate consideration to the pertinent provisions of the Constitution. If they had, they would have recognized that compulsory voting is constitutionally invalid in every significant aspect due to its inconsistency with Sections 37, 38, 77(2), 135(5), and 178(5) of the Constitution.
