HAPPENING NOW!! Reps Bow To Pressure, Withdraws Compulsory Voting Bill, "Lawmakers Should Focus On Insecurity Within Their Different Constituencies" -Speaker Abbas

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has announced the withdrawal of the controversial Compulsory Voting Bill.

In a statement released on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker revealed that “following extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, he has decided to withdraw the Bill to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians,” which he co-sponsored with Hon. Daniel Adama Ago.

According to him, the Bill was originally introduced with the best of intentions — “to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout.”

He cited successful examples of compulsory voting in countries such as Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, where voter participation rates are above 90 percent, as well as Argentina and Singapore, where similar policies have helped foster inclusivity at the polls.

However, Speaker Abbas emphasized that lawmaking must prioritize the people, and any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment.

He added that instead of enforcing compulsory participation, he is committed to exploring positive incentives and innovative approaches to make voting more attractive and accessible to all Nigerians.

“This withdrawal will allow 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,” he concluded.