Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has officially withdrawn a bill that sought to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians, citing the importance of national dialogue and respect for individual freedoms.

The bill, co-sponsored by the Speaker and Rep. Daniel Asama Ago, aimed to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to increase voter participation and deepen democratic engagement across the country. Although it passed second reading in the House on Thursday, it quickly ignited widespread debate among lawmakers, civil society organisations, and the general public.

In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Speaker Abbas explained that the bill’s withdrawal followed extensive consultations with stakeholders nationwide.

“From the start, the goal was to get more people involved in elections and strengthen democracy by boosting voter turnout,” the statement read.

Supporters of the bill argued that mandatory voting could raise civic engagement and improve electoral outcomes. However, critics raised concerns about its feasibility, potential infringement on personal freedoms, and the complexities of enforcement in a diverse nation like Nigeria.

Addressing the concerns, Speaker Abbas acknowledged the successful implementation of compulsory voting in countries like Australia, Belgium, and Brazil. He, however, emphasized that Nigeria must adopt solutions that align with its unique context and cultural realities.

“Lawmaking is about serving the people, and any new law must respect personal freedom,” Abbas stated.

Instead of mandatory voting, the Speaker said efforts would now focus on fostering a culture of voluntary participation, particularly targeting young and first-time voters. “This withdrawal gives us time to talk more about how to build a culture of voluntary voting that supports our democracy and respects citizens’ rights,” he added.

Many Nigerians had urged the National Assembly to prioritise addressing structural barriers to voting such as electoral violence, mistrust in the system, and logistical challenges on election days, which have contributed to low voter turnout in recent years.