A bill mandating compulsory voting for all eligible Nigerians has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives. Sponsored by House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the legislation aims to combat Nigeria’s persistently low voter turnout, which stood at just 27% during the 2023 general elections despite having over 93 million registered voters.
The bill received broad support during a plenary session and has now been referred to committee for further consideration. The proposed law seeks to enhance democratic participation by making voting a civic duty, following the example of countries like Australia and Belgium, where compulsory voting has yielded turnout rates above 90%.
Speaker Abbas emphasized that the bill would deepen democracy, improve representation, and foster civic responsibility. It also includes plans for voter education and improved polling access.
However, some lawmakers expressed reservations, particularly about enforcement in rural or insecure areas and concerns over potential violations of individual freedoms. Despite this, the bill passed through a voice vote with unanimous support, indicating strong legislative backing for increasing electoral participation across the country.
