A bill to amend the Electoral Act 2022 and introduce compulsory voting for all eligible Nigerians has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The legislation, sponsored by House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Hon. Daniel Ago, was debated during Thursday’s plenary. Ago said the bill seeks to confront chronic voter apathy by transforming voting from a voluntary act into a civic duty, thereby enhancing democratic engagement across the country.
While the bill gained support, it also drew strong opposition. Mark Esset, a PDP lawmaker from Akwa Ibom, cautioned against enforcing compulsory voting without restoring public confidence in the electoral system. “If we must make voting compulsory, we must also enact a law to ensure that every vote truly counts,” Esset said.
Hon. Ago defended the bill, stating that increased civic engagement would lead to stronger democratic representation, while Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu cited Australia’s model, where failure to vote is a punishable offence. He argued that Nigeria should adopt similar measures to reinforce accountability and encourage citizen participation.
Still, concerns persisted. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a PDP member from Rivers State, raised logistical questions and warned against penalizing non-voters in a system where many lack access to polling units or reside overseas. He argued that without credible voter data and meaningful incentives, mandatory voting could be problematic.
Despite objections, the bill passed its second reading after a voice vote clearly favored the “ayes.” Speaker Abbas assured the House that provisions for exemptions would be considered as the bill progresses through further legislative scrutiny.
What you should know
If passed into law, the bill would make Nigeria one of the few countries globally to enforce compulsory voting. Proponents argue it could strengthen democracy, but critics warn it may be premature without addressing electoral credibility and access issues.
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