A bill to make voting compulsory for eligible Nigerians has passed second reading in the House of Representatives, aiming to tackle voter apathy and deepen democratic participation.
- Speaker Abbas’s bill received overwhelming support during the second reading at Thursday’s plenary.
- The law proposes mandatory voting, citing global models like Australia and Belgium.
- Concerns include voter coercion, rural logistics, and rights to abstain from elections.
With voter turnout hitting just 27% in the 2023 elections, many Nigerians feel disconnected from governance. Advocates believe this bill could foster more engaged citizenship, while critics worry about imposing civic duties without solving deeper political trust issues.
Will mandatory voting truly strengthen Nigeria’s democracy or deepen tensions over rights and enforcement? The bill now heads to committee—eyes will be on the implementation roadmap.
