House of Reps Moves Forward with Bill to Make Voting Mandatory for All Eligible Nigerians

 

In what could mark a major turning point in Nigeria’s democratic journey, a bill proposing mandatory voting in all elections for eligible citizens has successfully passed its second reading in the House of Representatives. This development took place on Thursday, May 15, following intense debate among lawmakers.

The bill, which is sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, is designed to amend the Electoral Act of 2022. Its main goal is to tackle one of the most persistent challenges in Nigeria’s democracy—low voter turnout. Despite being Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria has recorded some of the lowest election participation rates on the continent in recent years.

Why This Bill Matters

Speaking in support of the bill, Hon. Daniel Ago, one of the co-sponsors, passionately defended the idea of making voting a legal responsibility rather than a personal choice. According to him, if passed, the bill would transform civic culture in Nigeria.

“The bill, if passed into law, would strengthen democracy by improving representation, foster a more politically aware country, and reduce vote buying,” Ago stated on the House floor.

He argued that forcing eligible Nigerians to vote would encourage more people to pay attention to political matters, and make them less likely to be manipulated or influenced through unethical practices like vote buying. By making elections more inclusive and participatory, the bill aims to enhance Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

Lessons from Abroad: The Case of Australia

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu also spoke in strong support of the bill. He pointed to countries like Australia, where voting is not just a right but a legal obligation. Kalu explained that in Australia, failing to vote is considered an offence, and citizens can face penalties or lose access to certain government benefits if they don’t fulfill this civic duty.

“In Australia, it is an offence not to vote in any election. There are some incentives that you will be denied for not voting,” Kalu emphasized.

He added that compulsory voting in Australia has helped ensure stable and inclusive governance, something he believes Nigeria desperately needs.

Kalu stressed that Nigerian citizens must take their civic duties more seriously, and that participating in elections should not be optional in a country striving to build a strong and accountable political system.

Opposition Voices Raise Key Concerns

However, not all lawmakers were on board with the proposal. Some raised serious concerns about the fairness, logistics, and overall practicality of enforcing such a law in Nigeria’s current environment.

Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Rivers State, questioned both the feasibility and ethical justification of mandatory voting. He expressed doubts about whether Nigerians would truly benefit from such a policy, especially without knowing what exactly they might lose if they don’t vote.

“What are the incentives that would be denied to citizens?” Abiante asked, challenging Kalu’s argument. “Voting should be free,” he added, underlining his belief that forcing citizens to vote goes against democratic principles.

Abiante also raised an important point about the reliability of Nigeria’s voter database, saying:

“It is not clean,”

He also posed a difficult logistical question:

“Who will provide the logistics for Nigerians abroad to come home and vote?”

This highlighted the huge logistical burden and potential for disenfranchisement if the law does not include clear exceptions and frameworks for special cases.

“We Are Building on Nothing,” Says Another Lawmaker

Hon. Mark Esset, representing Akwa Ibom State, also voiced his opposition. While he acknowledged the intentions behind the bill were good, he argued that Nigeria’s electoral system still lacks the credibility needed to justify compulsory participation.

“It is a good bill, but we are trying to build something on nothing. While we want to make voting compulsory, there should also be a law to make voting count,” he warned.

This sentiment echoed the broader concern that until Nigeria fixes the root issues plaguing its elections—such as rigging, result manipulation, and lack of transparency—making voting mandatory could backfire or breed more resentment among the public.

A Heated Debate and a Divided House

As the debate became more intense, Deputy Speaker Kalu attempted to control the conversation by invoking Order 9, a parliamentary rule that requires members to stick to the specific principles of a bill during debate. This move was seen by some as an attempt to shut down dissenting opinions.

But Speaker Abbas stepped in to clarify the situation. He made it clear that opposing viewpoints were valid and directly related to the general principles of the bill, and therefore allowed under House rules.

Eventually, Abbas called for a voice vote. The “ayes” (in support) clearly outnumbered the “nays” (against), which led to the bill successfully scaling its second reading.

What’s Next?

With the second reading completed, the bill now moves to the committee stage, where it will undergo detailed scrutiny and possible amendments. This stage will be crucial in determining how enforceable and fair the final version of the bill will be.

Will exemptions be created for Nigerians abroad? How will penalties be enforced? Will efforts be made to clean up the voter register before such a law is implemented?

These and many other questions will need to be answered in the coming weeks as the bill progresses through the legislative process.

Stay tuned to NaijaRush for full updates as this important national conversation unfolds. What do you think—should voting be a right or a duty? Let us know in the comments!