House of Reps passes bill to make voting mandatory in Nigeria

A bill seeking to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

Sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the bill was debated extensively during Thursday’s plenary, receiving broad support to move to the committee stage.

Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest democracy with over 93 million registered voters in the 2023 general elections, continues to grapple with declining voter turnout. Only about 27% of registered voters participated in the last election—a trend that has sparked concerns about political legitimacy and democratic representation.

The proposed legislation aims to reverse this pattern by mandating electoral participation as a civic duty. According to Abbas, the bill would deepen democratic practice by ensuring broader involvement in leadership selection. He also noted that the law would incorporate provisions for voter education, easier access to polling units, and clear enforcement mechanisms.

“Making voting compulsory is a bold but necessary step to restore faith in our democracy,” Abbas told lawmakers during the session.

Globally, countries like Australia, Belgium, and Brazil have long adopted compulsory voting, resulting in turnout rates consistently above 90%. Advocates argue it enhances political accountability and civic engagement, while critics warn it may infringe on personal freedoms.

Some lawmakers expressed concerns about enforcing the law, particularly in rural and insecure regions, and questioned the practicality of penalizing non-compliant voters. Still, the bill was unanimously adopted via voice vote and referred to the relevant committee for further scrutiny.

If enacted, the law could mark a major shift in Nigeria’s electoral landscape.