Yiaga Africa has strongly condemned a proposed bill currently under consideration at the National Assembly that seeks to make voting compulsory in Nigeria and impose a six-month jail term on eligible voters who fail to participate in elections.
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In a statement issued on Friday, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, described the bill as “draconian” and a gross violation of fundamental rights enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution and international human rights law. He emphasized that “voting is a right, not a duty to be criminalised,” arguing that the choice to abstain from voting is itself a valid form of political expression.
“The said bill is conceived as a legislative intervention to address the abysmally low voter turnout,” the statement noted. “While the rationale for the bill is plausible, the strong-arm approach adopted by the bill is draconian and constitutes a gross violation of constitutionally guaranteed rights. Indeed, the right to abstain from voting is a legitimate form of political expression.”
The civic organization acknowledged that the bill attempts to solve the problem of voter apathy—particularly in the wake of the 2023 general elections, which recorded a historic low turnout of 27.1%. However, it argued that coercive legislation would further erode democratic values and public confidence in the electoral system.
“Democracy thrives on freedom, which includes the choice to participate or abstain from voting,” Yiaga Africa stated. “Compulsory voting undermines this democratic freedom, and the punitive sanctions for not voting erode the foundational principles of voluntary democratic engagement.”
Instead of coercion, the group called for comprehensive electoral reforms aimed at rebuilding public trust and enhancing transparency. These include the mandatory electronic transmission of election results, early voting, diaspora voting, and more transparent procedures in appointing officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The bill fails to address the real drivers of voter apathy such as distrust in the electoral process, election manipulation, and poor governance,” the statement said. “Rather than impose sanctions, the National Assembly should channel its legislative efforts into reforms that expand access, ensure fairness, and restore trust in the democratic process.”
Yiaga Africa reiterated that real solutions lie in strengthening electoral justice, promoting transparency, and ensuring accountability. It concluded by urging lawmakers to reject the bill and prioritize legislative efforts that protect the political rights of all Nigerians.
“Imposing punishment for non-participation is not the answer. Building trust is,” Itodo affirmed.
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