A Civil Society Organisation (CSO) and election observer, Yiaga Africa, has vehemently condemned the proposed bill by the House of Representatives making it compulsory for Nigerians to vote or face six months imprisonment and warned that it undermines the democratic freedom of Nigerians.
A bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting compulsory for all Nigerians of voting age, which passed second reading during Thursday’s plenary session presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, was jointly sponsored by the Speaker and a lawmaker from Plateau State, Daniel Asama.
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.