Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has withdrawn the controversial Compulsory Voting Bill to amend Electoral Act 2022.

The bill withdrawal was disclosed in a statement on Monday by the speaker’s special adviser on media and publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi.

According to him, the decision was to give room for further dialogue on the bill, which generated controversies.

“Following extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, he has decided to withdraw the Bill to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians, which he co-sponsored with Hon. Daniel Adama Ago.”

This withdrawal will allow time for further dialogue on how best to cultivate a culture of voluntary participation that honours both our democratic ideals and the rights of our citizens.”

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In May, a bill that sought to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

However, senior lawyers such as human rights activist, Femi Falana kicked against the bill.