A bill seeking to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians — with penalties for non-compliance — has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
Sponsored by House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the proposed legislation received strong attention during a heated debate on the floor of the House on Thursday.
The bill, officially 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,” aims to introduce legal consequences for eligible citizens who fail to vote.
If passed into law, it would impose a fine of up to ₦100,000 or a maximum jail term of six months on any Nigerian of voting age who abstains from participating in national or state elections.
Currently, the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022 provide the framework for elections in Nigeria. While they grant citizens the right to vote at age 18, there are no penalties for choosing not to participate. The new bill seeks to change that by making voting not just a right, but a legal obligation.
This move has sparked debate over the balance between civic responsibility and personal freedom, as well as the practicality of enforcing such a law in a country where voter turnout has historically been low.
More updates to follow as the story develops.
