The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has voiced strong opposition to a proposed amendment to the Electoral Act 2022 that would make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians.
The bill, which had already passed its second reading in the House of Representatives, proposed penalties—including a fine of ₦100,000 or a six-month jail term—for those who fail to vote without a valid reason.
Legal professionals, including several Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), have condemned the proposal as unconstitutional and contrary to democratic values. They argue that while voting is a civic responsibility, it should remain a voluntary act, and forcing citizens to vote would infringe on their fundamental rights.
The NBA’s position is echoed by other civil society groups, such as the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who have also demanded that the bill be withdrawn. These groups argue that efforts to improve voter turnout should focus on eliminating electoral malpractice and increasing transparency, rather than imposing punitive measures.
The proposed legislation has sparked a broader national conversation about how best to encourage civic participation while upholding individual freedoms within Nigeria’s democracy.