By Abiola Olawale
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has withdrawn the controversial compulsory voting bill following widespread public outcry.
The decision, announced on May 26, 2025, comes after intense criticism from citizens, civil society groups, and political analysts who labelled the bill as undemocratic and impractical.
The proposed legislation, co-sponsored with Hon. Daniel Asama Ago, sought to mandate voting for all eligible Nigerians in elections.
However, the proposed legislation sparked heated debates across social media platforms and public forums.
Critics argued that the bill infringed on personal freedoms and failed to address deeper issues like voter apathy and electoral integrity.
In a statement issued Monday by the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Abbas said the decision followed “extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders” across the country.
The Speaker stated that rather than compel citizens to vote, he will explore alternative, non-coercive measures that incentivise participation, especially among young and first-time voters.
The statement reads in part: “From the outset, the bill was introduced with the best of intentions—to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout.
“Lawmaking is ultimately about the people it serves, and any reform must respect individual freedom.
“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.”
The New Diplomat reports that the bill had earlier passed second reading on the floor of the House on March 21, 2024,
