House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has pulled back a proposed bill that would have made voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians after it sparked considerable pushback both within and outside the national assembly.
- The bill was co-sponsored by Abbas and Daniel Ago of Plateau State.
- It passed second reading in the House on May 15.
- The proposal aimed to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to address low voter turnout.
- Critics raised concerns about implementation, enforcement, and citizens' rights.
While the intent behind the bill was to boost civic engagement and make democracy more participatory, the idea of compulsory voting quickly became controversial. Many saw it as government overreach, especially in a country where trust in electoral institutions is still shaky. There were also practical questions: How would enforcement work? What penalties would be fair?
Daniel Ago had argued that making voting a legal duty could curb vote buying and improve representation. But the mood in and outside the House signaled otherwise.
This is a case of timing and trust. While the need for stronger democratic participation is real, forcing people to the polls may not be the way forward, at least not yet.
