May 26, 2025

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen has withdrawn the compulsory voting Bill which he co-sponsored with Rep. Daniel Asama from Plateau State.

The proposed legislation to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians had passed second reading on the floor of the House, generating debate and public reactions.

Speaker Tajudeen, in a statement, however said the decision to withdraw the bill follows extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, as well as respect for individual freedoms and public sentiment.

He noted that the Bill was introduced with the best of intentions to promote civic engagement and higher voter turnout, but also acknowledges that lawmaking is ultimately about the people it serves and their rights.

Rather than compel civic participation, the Speaker said he is committed to exploring innovative approaches to make voting more attractive and accessible to all Nigerians, as the withdrawal of the bill will allow time for further dialogue.