The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has withdrawn the controversial compulsory voting bill following backlash by civil society organisations and activists.
Organisations like CISLAC and Yiaga Africa and several vocal legal experts had largely described the bill undemocratic and impractical.
The bill sought to amend the 2022 Electoral Act to impose a six-month jail term or a fine of N100,000 on any registered voter who fails to cast their ballot during elections.
The bill, co-sponsored by Abbas and Daniel Asama Ago, had passed second reading on May 15. But the Speaker announced its withdrawal Sunday night through a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi.
“From the outset, the bill was introduced with the best of intentions… Nevertheless, the Speaker acknowledges that lawmaking is ultimately about the people it serves, and that any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment,” the statement read.
The statement also emphasized that Abbas would focus on “positive incentives and innovative approaches” to encourage civil engagement without resorting to compulsion.
