Reps bow to pressure, take action on controversial compulsory voting bill, details emerge

• Amid backlash and law concerns, the House of Representatives has withdrawn the measure to marque voting mandatory for Nigerians
• The measure aimed to amend the Electoral Act 2022, volition pull fines oregon six-month jailhouse presumption for non-compliance
• The Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, confirmed the improvement successful a connection issued connected Monday, days the measure was faulted by Nigerians and Olisa Agbakoba SAN

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has implicit 2 years of acquisition covering political parties and movements.

On Monday, May 26, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, announced the withdrawal of the measure aimed astatine amending the Electoral Act 2022 to marque voting compulsory for each eligible Nigerians.

Reps retreat compulsory voting measure aft nationalist outcry. Photo credit: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Source: Facebook

Reps explicate crushed for withdrawal of voting bill

Tajudeen made this known successful a connection issued by his peculiar advisor connected media and publicity, Musa Krishi, and made disposable connected Monday, May 26.

As reported by Channels TV, helium noted that the determination followed extended consultations with stakeholders.

However, helium added that the bill, which helium co-sponsored with the subordinate representing Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, Daniel Ago, was introduced with the “best of intentions”.

“From the outset, the measure was introduced with the champion of intentions, which is to bolster civic engagement and fortify our ideology by encouraging higher elector turnout.“Compulsory voting has agelong been practised with notable occurrence successful countries specified arsenic Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, wherever it has helped prolong information rates supra 90 per cent, portion nations similar Argentina and Singapore person besides implemented akin measures to foster inclusivity astatine the ballot box,” helium said.

Speaker Abbas confirms voting measure withdrawal

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas has announced the withdrawal of the compulsory voting Bill. Photo credit: House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Source: Facebook

Tajudeen said that alternatively than compel participation, helium was committed to exploring affirmative incentives and innovative approaches that would marque voting much attractive.

He said:

“This withdrawal volition let clip for further dialog connected however champion to cultivate a civilization of voluntary information that honours some our antiauthoritarian ideals and the rights of our citizens.”

Legit.ng reported that the measure to amend the Electoral Act 2022 projected compulsory voting for Nigerians, with fines oregon six-month jailhouse presumption for non-compliance, has stirred controversy.

Legal experts and civilian nine groups reacting, argued that the measure is unconstitutional and advocator elector education implicit criminalising abstention.

Some citizens enactment compulsory voting to boost turnout, but galore spot it arsenic oppressive, urging leaders to absorption connected accountability and security.

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In different development, Legit.ng reported that the House of Representatives connected Tuesday, May 13, 2025, said nary to rotational presidency in Nigeria.

The House rejected the measure seeking to rotate the bureau of the president and vice president among the six geopolitics zones.

The lawmakers argued that the measure infringed connected the close of each Nigerians to contention for immoderate bureau of their choice.

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Source: Legit.ng