A bill seeking to make voting compulsory for all Nigerians of voting age has passed second reading in the House of Representatives, igniting widespread debate on civic duty, democratic participation, and the practicality of enforcement.
The bill, 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,” is sponsored by Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, and Hon.
Daniel Asama, who represents the Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency of Plateau State. The legislation proposes a penalty of up to six months imprisonment or a fine of ₦100,000 for any eligible Nigerian who fails to vote during national or state elections.
During plenary on Thursday, Hon. Daniel Asama led the debate in support of the bill, arguing that compulsory voting would help deepen democracy in Nigeria by encouraging widespread civic participation.
He expressed concern over the country’s consistently low voter turnout, which he said undermines the legitimacy of elected officials and weakens democratic institutions. According to him, when citizens actively engage in choosing their leaders, governance becomes more accountable and responsive.
He referenced countries like Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, where compulsory voting laws have reportedly improved political participation and reduced the impact of voter manipulation and inducement.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu also expressed support for the bill, describing it as a necessary step toward instilling a sense of national responsibility in Nigerians.
He noted that in countries like Australia, it is a punishable offense not to vote, and failing to do so may lead to denial of certain citizen benefits. Kalu criticized the tendency of Nigerians to complain about government policies while ignoring their own civic responsibilities, such as voting.
However, the bill did not go unchallenged. Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante of the PDP, representing the Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency, questioned the practicality of enforcing such a law.
He raised concerns about Nigerians in the diaspora and those in hard-to-reach rural areas, asking how the law would ensure they are able to vote.
He warned that penalizing citizens in a country still struggling with infrastructure and logistics could be unjust.
Another voice of caution came from Hon. Esset Udo of the PDP, representing Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/Asutan/Ibesikpo in Akwa Ibom State. He argued that making voting compulsory without first addressing voter confidence and electoral transparency would amount to putting the cart before the horse.
According to him, many Nigerians avoid voting because they do not believe their votes make any real difference. He urged lawmakers to focus on making votes count before mandating compulsory participation.
In response, Deputy Speaker Kalu cautioned against veering into issues of electoral reform and budgetary logistics, reminding lawmakers that the current debate was strictly about the principle of whether voting should be compulsory.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas also intervened, clarifying that no law is without exceptions. He acknowledged the concerns raised but insisted that making voting a legal duty could help rebuild public confidence in the electoral process and governance as a whole.
When the bill was subjected to a voice vote, a significant number of lawmakers shouted “nay,” but Speaker Abbas ruled in favor of the “ayes,” allowing the bill to progress to the next stage. It has now been referred to the House Committee on Electoral Matters for further legislative action.
If eventually passed, the bill will mark a historic shift in Nigeria’s electoral landscape, making it one of the few democracies in the world to impose legal penalties for failing to vote.