The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Abbas Tajudeen, has withdrawn a bill to amend the Electoral Act 2022 that will make voting compulsory for all eligible citizens.
In a statement in Abuja, Dr. Abbas explains that the bill, which he co-sponsored with Daniel Ago, was withdrawn after extensive consultations with stakeholders.
The Speaker notes that the bill was introduced to boost civic engagement and strengthen democracy but acknowledges that lawmaking should respect individual freedoms and public sentiment.
Dr. Abbas expressed the hope that the withdrawal will allow time for further dialogue on how best to cultivate a culture of voluntary participation that honors both the nation’s democratic ideals and the rights of citizens.
