The House of Representatives yesterday passed through second reading a bill to amend the Electoral Act, 2022 to make voting in national and state elections compulsory for all citizens of voting age (18 years and above).
Sponsored by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen (APC, Kaduna) and the member representing Bassa/Jos North federal constituency of Plateau state, Hon. Daniel Asama Ago, the proposed legislation seeks to deepen democracy in the country through increased participation and legitimacy in electoral outcomes.
It also intends to provide a legal framework for enforcing mandatory voting, including appropriate sanctions for unjustified failure to vote, and valid grounds for exemption (such as illness, religious objection, or residency outside the country).
The bills further seeks to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to develop a system for tracking voter compliance and managing exemption requests without infringing on fundamental human rights and promote electoral education and awareness, ensuring that citizens understand the importance and value of their vote.
In a lead debate on the bill, the co-sponsor Asama-Ago said democracy thrives when citizens are actively engaged in the process of selecting their leaders and shaping the direction of governance.
The lawmaker argued that voting is not only a right but a civic responsibility, and in many democracies across the world, it is treated as such saying, political apathy is not just a threat to elections but a threat to good governance and national stability.
“Honourable Colleagues, permit me to highlight the reasons this amendment is both necessary and timely: Low voter turnout —Nigeria has consistently recorded alarming low voter turnout rates in recent elections. For instance, in the 2023 general elections, less than 30% of registered voters participated. This trend undermines the legitimacy of elected governments and weakens democratic institutions.
“Strengthening civic engagement by making voting a legal obligation will instil in citizens a sense of civic duty and shared responsibility in the governance process. Global precedents—several democracies, including Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, have adopted mandatory voting with positive outcomes in terms of political participation and public accountability.
“Combating electoral apathy and inducement—mandatory voting can significantly reduce the influence of vote-buying, as more citizens will be participating.
“Enhancing representation—when more people vote, the outcomes of elections are more likely to reflect the true will of the people, leading to more inclusive governance. The rationale for this bill rests on the urgent need to revitalize democratic participation in Nigeria.
“The persistent trend of low turnout undermines the legitimacy of our electoral process and weakens the foundation of representative governance. By making voting mandatory, we aim to foster a stronger culture of civic responsibility, reduce electoral apathy, and increase the inclusiveness and fairness of our elections,” he added.