Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen withdraws contentious bill make voting compulsory
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has officially withdrawn the contentious bill seeking to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians
The withdrawal was confirmed in a statement on Monday by the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi. The move comes amid growing public backlash and opposition from legal experts and civil society groups.
According to the statement, the Speaker opted to pull back the bill to allow for broader engagement and consultation with stakeholders. He co-sponsored the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act 2022 alongside Hon. Daniel Adama Ago.
“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,” the statement read.
Krishi added that the decision reflects the Speaker’s commitment to fostering a participatory democracy that respects individual rights while encouraging civic responsibility.
“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,” he said.
DAILY POST had earlier reported that the bill passed second reading in the House of Representatives in mid-May, sparking intense national debate. Prominent voices, including human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), criticized the bill, arguing it infringed on constitutional freedoms.
