The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has announced the withdrawal of a proposed Bill seeking to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians.

The Bill, aimed at amending the Electoral Act 2022, was co-sponsored by Abbas and Rep. Daniel Adama Ago.

This decision was conveyed in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Abbas’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi.

According to the Speaker, the withdrawal follows wide-ranging consultations with stakeholders across various sectors.

“Although the Bill was introduced with the best of intentions — to enhance civic engagement and strengthen democratic participation — it has become clear that further dialogue is required,” Abbas stated.

He noted that while countries like Australia, Belgium, and Brazil have successfully implemented compulsory voting, similar measures must reflect national context and public sentiment.

“These countries have consistently recorded voter turnout above 90 per cent,” he said, adding that Argentina and Singapore also operate comparable systems.

Nonetheless, Abbas emphasised that lawmaking must align with the will of the people and protect fundamental freedoms.

“Instead of mandating participation, I am committed to exploring incentives and innovative strategies that encourage voluntary engagement in the electoral process,” he said.

He concluded that the withdrawal would allow time for broader discussions on fostering a democratic culture rooted in voluntary, informed participation.