WATCH THE VIDEO HERE Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, has withdrawn the bill seeking to make voting compulsory. The bill was co-sponsored by Abbas and Daniel Ago, lawmaker representing Bassa/Jos north federal constituency of Plateau state. However, the Speaker announced the withdrawal of the bill on Monday, following widespread public concern and consultations with key stakeholders. Don’t miss out on any real-time information. Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated. .. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker said the bill was introduced with the best intentions to boost civic engagement and address low voter turnout, which has plagued recent electoral cycles in Nigeria. The statement said: “The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, wishes to inform the public that, following extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, he has decided to withdraw the Bill to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians, which he co-sponsored with Hon. Daniel Adama Ago. “From the outset, the Bill was introduced with the best of intentions, which is to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout. Compulsory voting has long been practised with notable success in countries such as Australia, Belgium and Brazil, where it has helped sustain participation rates above 90 per cent, while nations like Argentina and Singapore have also implemented similar measures to foster inclusivity at the ballot box. “Nevertheless, the Speaker acknowledges that lawmaking is ultimately about the people it serves, and that any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment. “Rather than compel participation, he is committed to exploring positive incentives and innovative approaches that will make voting more attractive and accessible to all Nigerians. The speaker said the withdrawal would 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 bill which had sought to make voting compulsory for Nigerians of voting age was titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to Make It Mandatory for All Nigerians of Majority Age to Vote in All National and State Elections and for Related Matters,” the proposed legislation seeks to introduce compulsory voting for eligible Nigerians. It imposed a maximum of six months imprisonment or a fine of no more than N100,000 for Nigerians of voting age who fail to vote during elections .. ... ... ... Join Our Social Media Channels:
BREAKING: House of Reps speaker Abbas withdraws compulsory voting bill after public outcry
