From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has withdrawn the Compulsory Voting Bill, which scaled through second reading, last week.
The bill, which was jointly sponsored by Abbas and Daniel Asama Ago, sought to make voting in elections in the country mandatory, for all Nigerians of 18 years and above.
The bill, which prescribed N100,000 fine or a jail term of six months for defaulters has been widely condemned since it passed second reading.
The proposed legislation, which sought an amendment to Section 47 of the Electoral Act 2022 stated: “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.”
However, the speaker, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, yesterday, said he was withdrawing the proposed legislation following extensive consultation with stakeholders.
According to him, “from the outset, the Bill was introduced with the best of intentions, which is to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout.
“Compulsory voting has long been practised with notable success in countries, such as Australia, Belgium and Brazil, where it has helped sustain participation rates above 90 percent, while nations like Argentina and Singapore have also implemented similar measures to foster inclusivity at the ballot box.
“Nevertheless, the Speaker acknowledges that lawmaking is ultimately about the people it serves, and that any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment. Rather than compel participation, he is committed to exploring positive incentives and innovative approaches that will make voting more attractive and accessible to all Nigerians.
“This withdrawal will allow time for further dialogue on how best to cultivate a culture of voluntary participation that honours both our democratic ideals and the rights of our citizens.”
Meanwhile, stakeholders advocating for the passage of the Special Seats Bill have described the proposed legislation as a critical litmus test for the integrity and inclusiveness of Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking at a media conference in Abuja yesterday, themed, “The Special Seats Bill: An Urgent Call to Action for Women’s Representation,” stakeholders urged political leaders and citizens alike to support the bill.
They emphasised the need for unified action, drawing parallels to the successful Not-Too-Young-To-Run movement, which demonstrated the power of collective advocacy in driving legislative change.
Mrs. Irene Awunah-Ikegh, president of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), said lawmakers, political parties and citizens must support the constitutional amendment, which sought to reserve seats for women in the National Assembly.
Awunah-Ikegh, who also serves as a campaign leader under a UN Women-supported initiative, said the bill was essential to correcting Nigeria’s persistent gender imbalance in political representation.
“The ongoing constitutional review presents a unique opportunity to embed gender equity in our governance systems.
“The President rightly described this bill as a litmus test for Nigeria’s democratic values. Just as we succeeded with the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill, we must now unite to ensure women have a seat at the decision-making table,” she said.
Ms. Evelyn Ugben, a representative of RACE Africa, noted that the campaign had expanded beyond Abuja to several states.
She added that it was now in its advocacy phase, engaging religious institutions, political parties and legislators across state and federal levels.
“We’re not just meeting lawmakers; we’re reaching the people who elect them.
“The electorate must understand that how their representatives vote on this bill will shape the 2027 elections. Voters must begin holding leaders accountable,” she said.
She stressed that grassroots women were not passive observers, but active players in reshaping Nigeria’s political future.
“We’re encouraging women to start at the ward level, take up leadership roles, and rise through the ranks. That’s how we change the political ecosystem from the bottom up.”
Mrs Angelina Ugben, executive director, Inclusive Skills Initiatives, connected the bill’s success to broader electoral reforms, particularly the real-time electronic transmission of election results.
“When people trust that their votes count, they are more likely to be invested in the system.
“That’s why we are aligning this campaign with broader efforts to strengthen the Electoral Act.”
Ms. Chizoba Ogbeche, vice president, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Zone D, said the campaign was focused on grassroots endorsements, community dialogues and securing support from traditional, political and religious leaders.
“We are not asking for charity and demanding fairness, inclusion and representation,” she said.
As the nation approaches another key constitutional review, Ogbeche said the Special Seats Bill presented an opportunity to redefine Nigeria’s political culture and build a truly representative democracy where women’s voices were no longer marginalised but amplified.
The Special Seats Bill, sponsored by Akintunde Rotimi, seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to add six special seats in the House of Representatives.
These would be designated for underrepresented and marginalised groups, including women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), youth, senior citizens, indigenous peoples/minorities and civil society organisations.
If passed, the bill would introduce Section 48A into the Constitution, institutionalising inclusion and expanding representation in national legislation.
The bill also aligns with Nigeria’s international obligations, including the UN Convention on the Rights of PWDs and the Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 16 (inclusive institutions).