Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has withdrawn a bill seeking to make voting compulsory in Nigeria.
The bill, which was co-sponsored by Abbas and Daniel Ago, a lawmaker representing Bassa/Jos North federal constituency of Plateau state, faced significant pushback, prompting Abbas to withdraw it.
The decision to withdraw the bill comes after concerns were raised about the potential implications of compulsory voting on citizens’ rights and freedoms.
Some critics argued that making voting compulsory could infringe on individuals’ right to choose whether or not to participate in the electoral process.
Abbas’ decision to withdraw the bill may be seen as a response to public opinion and a willingness to listen to concerns raised by various stakeholders.
The withdrawal of the bill highlights the importance of public engagement and participation in the legislative process.
Further details on the reasons behind the withdrawal are expected to emerge, and it remains to be seen whether the bill will be reintroduced in the future with modifications to address the concerns raised.