Reps move to compel Nigerians to vote during elections

MaTaZ ArIsInG
Dallas, Texas

THE National Assembly may soon make voting compulsory for eligible Nigerians, as the House of Representatives seeks an amendment to the Electoral Act 2022 to this effect. 

The bill on the amendment, which has passed second reading, is jointly sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Daniel Asama Ago, a lawmaker from Nasarawa and a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

There are, however, exceptions, including the decision not to vote based on one’s religious belief, illness, living outside Nigeria, among others.

According to the bill, the amendment seeks to address voter apathy and boost civic participation.

Speaking during Thursday’s plenary, Ago said the bill intended to redefine voting as a legal obligation rather than a voluntary act.

He referenced the 2023 general elections, where voter turnout was below 30 per cent, warning that such low participation threatened the legitimacy of elected governments.

Despite over 93 million registered voters and 87 million who collected permanent voter cards (PVCs), only about 25 million Nigerians voted in the 2023 presidential election.

This translates to a turnout rate of approximately 29 per cent, marking the lowest in Nigeria’s recent electoral history. The ICIR also gathered regional disparities, with the South-East recording the lowest turnout at 22.3 per cent and the North-Central the highest at 32.83 per cent.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu (APC, Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State) expressed strong support for the bill. He cited countries like Australia, where mandatory voting laws have helped raise public involvement in governance and contributed to political stability.

Kalu believes a similar approach in Nigeria would instil a greater sense of civic duty and reinforce democratic accountability.

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