Reps Speaker Tajudeen Abbas withdraws compulsory voting bill after public outcry
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has officially withdrawn the proposed bill to amend the Electoral Act 2022, which aimed to mandate voting for all eligible Nigerians.
The decision follows extensive consultations with a variety of stakeholders and aims to foster a more inclusive democratic process.
In a statement made available to Channels Television, Tajudeen noted that the bill, co-sponsored by Daniel Ago, the member representing Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, was introduced with the intention of enhancing civic engagement.
He said, “From the outset, the bill was introduced with the best of intentions, which is to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout.”
He pointed out the success of compulsory voting in countries such as Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, which have seen significant participation rates.
However, Tajudeen expressed his commitment to finding alternative methods to promote voting.
“Rather than compel participation, I am committed to exploring positive incentives and innovative approaches that will make voting more attractive and accessible to all Nigerians,” he remarked.
The withdrawn bill had already passed a second reading in the House, but it drew criticism from many quarters, with several legal experts labeling it unconstitutional. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olisa Agbakoba, vocally opposed the measure, stating, “If that bill were to pass, I would say, ‘Agbakoba, we will not obey it.’ I’d rather go to prison for six months than obey it.”
Fellow Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, added to the criticism, asserting that the bill violated fundamental rights protected by the Constitution. He stated, “Compulsory voting is constitutionally invalid… it is inconsistent with Sections 37, 38, 77(2), 135(5), and 178(5) of the Constitution.”
The Speaker’s decision to withdraw the bill opens the door for further dialogue on how to promote voluntary voter participation and address public apathy towards elections, reflecting the ongoing challenges and discussions surrounding Nigeria’s democratic processes.
Source: Channels TV
