Speaker Tajudeen Abbas withdraws Bill on compulsory voting

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has officially withdrawn the bill seeking to make voting compulsory in Nigeria.

The bill, which was jointly sponsored by Abbas and Daniel Ago, the lawmaker representing Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency in Plateau State, had earlier passed its second reading in the House on May 15.

During the debate, Daniel Ago argued that the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act 2022 was designed to tackle the challenge of low voter turnout across the country. He explained that making voting mandatory would enhance civic responsibility, increase public participation in elections, and turn the act of voting into a legal obligation rather than a matter of personal choice.

Ago also maintained that the bill could contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy by ensuring broader political representation, fostering a more politically aware society, and curbing the widespread issue of vote buying during elections.

However, Speaker Abbas has now withdrawn the bill, with no official reason provided for the decision as of the time of this report.