The House of Representatives was divided on Thursday over a bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting compulsory for all Nigerians of voting age in national and state elections.
The bill, which passed second reading during Thursday’s plenary session presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, was jointly sponsored by the Speaker and Daniel Asama, a lawmaker from Plateau State.
The proposed legislation stipulates penalties for eligible voters who fail to vote without valid justification, including a fine of N100,000, a six-month jail term, or both.
When first introduced in mid-April, the bill sparked public outrage with the National Association of Nigerian Students threatening mass protests in opposition.
Leading debate on the general principles of the bill on Thursday, Asama argued that the heart of democracy lies in citizen participation.
According to him, democracy thrives when people are actively involved in choosing their leaders and shaping governance.
“Voting is not only a right but a civic responsibility, and in many democracies across the world, it is treated as such,” he said. “This bill proposes to introduce mandatory voting for all Nigerians of voting age in general elections, both at the national and state levels. It seeks to amend the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, to reflect this obligation, while also allowing for limited and justified exemptions where necessary.”
Asama also raised concerns about the dual mandate of the Independent National Electoral Commission, which he said contributes to inefficiency and perceived bias.