•Propose 6-month imprisonment for defaulters

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The House of Representatives has approved for second reading a bill seeking to make voting during elections in the country mandatory.

The bill, which is sponsored by the speaker, Tajudeen Abbas and Daniel Asama, is seeking an alteration of Sections 9, 10, 12 and 47 of the Electoral Act, 2022, to make it compulsory for Nigerians who have attained 18 years to register and vote in elections.

The proposed legislation, which was passed for second reading, at yesterday’s plenary, prescribes six-month imprisonment or fine of N100,000 for anyone who has attained 18 years and fails to vote during elections.

According to the proposed amendment

to Section 47(4a), “It shall be mandatory for all registered voters who have attained the majority age of 18 and above to vote in all national and state elections.

“(b) A person who has attained the majority age of 18 years who refuses to perform his civic duty to vote commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not more than N100,000 or imprisonment for a term not more than six months.”

Asama, while leading debate on the bill, said the proposed legislation is aimed at ensuring that all eligible citizens participate in elections, especially as “democracy thrives when citizens are actively engaged in the process of selecting their leaders and shaping the direction of governance.”

He said, “Voting is not only the right but a civic responsibility, and in many democracies across the world, it is treated as such. This bill proposes to introduce mandatory voting for Nigerians of voting age in general elections, both at the national and state levels.

“Nigeria has consistently recorded alarming low voter turnout rates in elections. For instance, in the 2023 general election, less than 30 percent of the registered voters participated. This trend undermines legitimacy of elected governments and weakens democratic institutions. By making voting a legal obligation we will instill in the citizens a sense of civic duty and shared responsibility in the governance process.”

The deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, in his contribution, said low turnout of voters has consistently been a regular feature in elections in the country. Kalu, who canvassed support for the bill, noted that while citizens are quick to condemn the government for non performance, but they are not quick to fulfill their civic responsibility.

“The bill that is before us is not saying it is mandatory for a Nigerian to vote either A or B, no. It’s saying that you must be counted in every election, whether it be local government, state or federal. In other climes, it is actually an offence for you not to vote during elections,” he stated.

Nonetheless, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, stated that while citizens should be encouraged to vote during elections, the bill raises several questions. The questions, he said, include how the proposed law would be enforced and the incentives available to make the participation in elections attractive to citizens.

“There are certain questions that I would have loved us to seek answers to, so that it would be very encouraging, very appetising, and very appealing to those who would want to vote. What would be the mode of enforcement? It is not just good enough that we have it in our books that voting is compulsory. How will it be enforced? What are the incentives? What are those things that citizens even enjoy? Is it that you’ll be denied security?

“What exactly would be denied to any man who has refused to vote in Nigeria? I don’t think there is anything that can be denied to any man that has refused to vote. Voting should be free,” Abiante posited.

After the bill was passed for second reading, Abbas referred it to the Committee on Electoral Matters for more legislative actions.