The Nigerian House of Representatives has advanced a bill aiming to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting compulsory for all eligible citizens.
The bill, titled “Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to Make It Mandatory for All Nigerians of Majority Age to Vote in All National and State Elections and for Related Matters,” passed its second reading on May 15, 2025.
The proposed legislation seeks to address voter apathy by redefining voting as a legal obligation rather than a voluntary act.
Honourable Daniel Asama Ago, one of the bill’s sponsors, highlighted that in the 2023 general elections, despite over 93 million registered voters and 87 million who collected permanent voter cards, only about 25 million Nigerians voted in the presidential election.
He warned that such low participation threatens the legitimacy of elected governments.
Under the bill, eligible voters who fail to participate in elections could face penalties, including a fine of up to ₦100,000, a six-month jail term, or both.
However, exceptions are provided for individuals unable to vote due to religious beliefs, illness, or residing outside Nigeria.
The bill has sparked significant debate, with critics arguing that compulsory voting infringes on individual freedoms and may not effectively address the root causes of voter apathy.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged the National Assembly to withdraw the bill, describing it as repressive and inconsistent with Nigeria’s constitutional and international human rights obligations.
The organization warned that if the voting bill is enacted, it would consider legal action to challenge its legality.
As the bill progresses through the legislative process, it continues to generate discussions on balancing civic duties with individual rights in Nigeria’s democratic framework.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
