Speaker Abbas Withdraws Mandatory Voting Bill For All Eligible Nigerians

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has officially withdrawn the controversial bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians.

His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, announced the decision on Monday, May 26, in Abuja, stating that the move followed “extensive consultations with a wide range of stakeholders.”

Speaker Abbas had earlier introduced the bill with what he described as the best intentions—to deepen civic participation and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic culture by increasing voter turnout.

“Compulsory voting has seen great success in countries like Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, where participation rates often exceed 90%,” Abbas said. “Other nations such as Argentina and Singapore have adopted similar policies to boost inclusivity at the polls.”

However, Abbas emphasized that true lawmaking must reflect the will of the people. He acknowledged that any electoral reform must balance democratic goals with respect for individual freedoms.

"Rather than forcing people to vote, the Speaker is now focused on exploring positive incentives and innovative strategies to make voting more appealing and accessible to all Nigerians,” Krishi explained. “The withdrawal of the bill allows for more dialogue on how to encourage a voluntary voting culture that aligns with both our democratic values and citizens' rights.”

The bill had already passed second reading in the House of Representatives and proposed that all Nigerians aged 18 and above be legally required to vote in national and state elections.