The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, don withdraw di bill wey dey try amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting compulsory for all Nigerians wey fit vote.
Di Speaker Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, na him yan this one for Abuja on Monday, May 26. He talk say dem withdraw the bill after dem do plenty consultation with different people wey get stake for the matter.
Abbas talk say him bring the bill with good mind, to make people dey more involved for politics and to make Nigeria democracy strong by making more people show for elections.
He talk say countries like Australia, Belgium and Brazil don dey do compulsory voting and e dey work well, as dem participation rate dey always pass 90%. Countries like Argentina and Singapore too don try this kind idea.
But the Speaker come talk say lawmaking na for the people, and any change wey dem wan do suppose respect wetin people want and their freedom.
Instead of to force people to vote, him say he go look into better ways and new ideas wey go make voting sweet and easy for Nigerians.
Him talk say this withdrawal go give space for more discussion on how to build culture of voluntary voting wey go still follow democratic values and respect people rights.
Before dem withdraw am, the House of Reps don already pass the bill for second reading, and e dey try amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting compulsory for anybody wey don reach 18 years and above for national and state elections.
