Reps Speaker Yanks Compulsory Voting Bill Amid Public Outcry – ‘Democracy Thrives on Freedom, Not Fines
Nigeria’s Mandatory Voting Bill Axed: Tajudeen Bows to Pressure Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen has withdrawn his contentious bill proposing six-month jail terms or ₦100,000 fines for Nigerians who skip voting, following fierce backlash from civil society, legal experts, and the public. The move marks the second time Tajudeen has retracted a controversial legislative proposal amid accusations of undermining democratic freedoms. Why the Bill Was Pulled In a Monday statement by his media aide Musa Krishi, Tajudeen cited: Public Sentiment: “Law-making must respect individual freedoms.” Stakeholder Pressure: Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yiaga Africa, and others condemned the bill as “unconstitutional” and “draconian.” Pivot to Incentives: Tajudeen pledged to explore “positive incentives” instead of coercion to boost voter turnout. Global Context: The Speaker initially defended the bill by citing Australia and Brazil’s compulsory voting models, which achieve 90%+ participation. The Bill’s Controversial Clauses Introduced in February 2025 […]