Legislative Journey
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First Reading26 Nov 2024
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Second Reading15 May 2025
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Committee ReportNot yet reachedElectoral Matters
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Third ReadingNot yet reached
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Current StatusWithdrawn
Summary & Analysis
The bill seeks to amend the Electoral Act to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians. It aims to:
Enhance citizen participation in elections.
Reduce voter apathy, currently below 30% turnout.
Strengthen democratic legitimacy and reduce electoral manipulation.
Promote civic responsibility and accountability in governance.
Key Points from Debate:
Hon. Daniel Ago: Emphasized the need to deepen democracy by increasing voter participation, reduce manipulation, and build a stronger civic culture.
Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu: Supported the Bill as a way to stop passive criticism and encourage active participation. He referenced mandatory voting practices in other countries, backed by tax enforcement for defaulters.
Hon. Awaji Abiante: Raised concerns about the enforcement of mandatory voting and the integrity of the voter register and voting process, questioning the practicality of the bill.
Hon. Agalacha: Advocated for voter registration and participation to address apathy and promote inclusion in governance.
Hon. Mark Esset: Argued that compulsory voting must be paired with laws that guarantee vote integrity to address voter distrust.
Hon. Mustapha Tijani: Commended the bill’s intent and called on INEC to improve the convenience of the voting process.
Speaker’s Remarks:
The Presiding Speaker acknowledged the challenges in implementation but emphasized the importance of pushing forward reforms that strengthen democratic participation.
Next Step:
The bill passed its second reading and was referred to the House Committee on Electoral Matters for further legislative action.
Bill has been withdrawned
Enhance citizen participation in elections.
Reduce voter apathy, currently below 30% turnout.
Strengthen democratic legitimacy and reduce electoral manipulation.
Promote civic responsibility and accountability in governance.
Key Points from Debate:
Hon. Daniel Ago: Emphasized the need to deepen democracy by increasing voter participation, reduce manipulation, and build a stronger civic culture.
Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu: Supported the Bill as a way to stop passive criticism and encourage active participation. He referenced mandatory voting practices in other countries, backed by tax enforcement for defaulters.
Hon. Awaji Abiante: Raised concerns about the enforcement of mandatory voting and the integrity of the voter register and voting process, questioning the practicality of the bill.
Hon. Agalacha: Advocated for voter registration and participation to address apathy and promote inclusion in governance.
Hon. Mark Esset: Argued that compulsory voting must be paired with laws that guarantee vote integrity to address voter distrust.
Hon. Mustapha Tijani: Commended the bill’s intent and called on INEC to improve the convenience of the voting process.
Speaker’s Remarks:
The Presiding Speaker acknowledged the challenges in implementation but emphasized the importance of pushing forward reforms that strengthen democratic participation.
Next Step:
The bill passed its second reading and was referred to the House Committee on Electoral Matters for further legislative action.
Bill has been withdrawned