Mathew Amaechi
A bill to amend the Electoral Act 2022, sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Rep. Daniel Ago, has just passed its second reading in the House of Representatives, aiming to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians.
Proponents argue the move will tackle chronic voter apathy, while critics warn that without deeper electoral reforms, mandatory turnout could prove hollow.
The second reading of the compulsory-voting bill took place during Thursday’s plenary, where Rep Ago outlined its key goal: “to boost citizens’ participation in the electoral process”
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas co-sponsored the legislation alongside Ago, signaling leadership support at the chamber’s helm.
With the bill now moving to committee review, lawmakers will scrutinize details such as penalties for non-compliance and potential exemptions. Nigeria’s 27% turnout in the 2023 general elections unveils widespread disengagement. Analysts attribute low participation to factors including mistrust in electoral integrity, logistical failures, and security concerns.
Proponents point to Australia, where compulsory voting has sustained turnout rates above 90%, as a successful model of legally mandated civic duty.
Rep. Ago contended that making voting a legal obligation would transform civic participation from an optional right into a national responsibility.
PDP Rep Mark Esset (Akwa Ibom) warned, “We cannot build on a shaky foundation. If citizens have lost confidence in the system, forcing them to vote changes nothing. We must first restore integrity so votes truly count.”
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu cited Order 9 to insist debates adhere strictly to the bill’s general principles, leading to spirited exchanges on parliamentary decorum.
