The controversial voting Bill has been withdrawn by the speaker of the House of Representative, Hon Abbas Tajudeen PhD, who is the co-sponsor of the bill with Hon. Daniel Asama Ago.
According to the Hon Speaker, the withdrawal follows his extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, made him withdraw the Bill to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 which was to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians.
He however reemphasized that the Bill was introduced with the best of intentions, which is to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout. Compulsory voting has long been practised with notable success in countries such as Australia, Belgium and Brazil, where it has helped sustain participation rates above 90 per cent, while nations like Argentina and Singapore have also implemented similar measures to foster inclusivity at the ballot box.
“Nevertheless, I acknowledge that lawmaking is ultimately about the people it serves, and that any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment. 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.
“This withdrawal will afford me time for further dialogue on how best to cultivate a culture of voluntary participation that honours both our democratic ideals and the rights of our citizens”. The Speaker says in his verified X handle on Monday.
