BREAKING: House Speaker Abbas Pulls Back Compulsory Voting Bill Amid Stakeholder Concerns

In a significant development, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, has withdrawn the controversial Compulsory Voting Bill.

The bill aimed to amend the 2022 Electoral Act to require all eligible Nigerians to vote, a move that sparked widespread debate.

The withdrawal was confirmed in a statement released on Monday by Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity. The statement explained that after “extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders,” the Speaker decided to retract the bill, which he had co-sponsored with Hon. Daniel Adama Ago.

Speaker Abbas clarified that the bill was introduced with “the best of intentions” to increase voter turnout and strengthen democratic participation. He cited international examples where compulsory voting has been effective, including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Argentina, and Singapore, noting their success in maintaining high voter engagement.

Despite these examples, the Speaker recognized that any electoral reform must balance increased participation with respect for individual rights. He said, “lawmaking is ultimately about the people and that any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment.”

Instead of mandatory voting, Abbas expressed his intention to focus on “positive incentives and innovative approaches” to encourage voluntary voter participation. He added that the bill’s withdrawal would provide an opportunity for more dialogue on fostering a democratic culture that respects citizens’ rights.