Yiaga Africa has called on the National Assembly to focus its legislative agenda on meaningful electoral reforms that will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, following the withdrawal of a voting bill that proposed to make voting compulsory for eligible citizens.
The bill, co-sponsored by the speaker of the house of representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and Daniel Ago, lawmaker representing Bassa/Jos North federal constituency of Plateau State, had recommended a six-month jail term or a fine of N100,000 for Nigerians who fail to vote during elections.
The proposal was widely criticised by civil society organisations, legal experts, and the general public, who argued that such a move would infringe on the fundamental rights of citizens.
In a statement, Yiaga Africa welcomed the decision to withdraw the bill, describing it as a commendable act of responsive leadership.
Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, noted that although the bill was introduced in response to Nigeria’s persistently low voter turnout, making voting a legal obligation punishable by law would have amounted to criminalising a constitutionally guaranteed right.
He warned that such an approach risked undermining the core values of democratic participation and civic freedom.
Rather than pursuing punitive measures, Yiaga Africa urged lawmakers to channel their efforts into enacting reforms that address the systemic issues plaguing the country’s electoral process.
The organisation highlighted the need for mandatory electronic transmission of election results as a way to enhance transparency and public confidence in electoral outcomes.
It also advocated for the introduction of early voting options for categories of people such as election officials, journalists, security personnel, and accredited observers, whose duties often prevent them from voting on election day.
Furthermore, Yiaga Africa is calling for the establishment of legal timelines for concluding election petitions before elected officials are sworn in, in order to prevent legal uncertainties from affecting governance.
The organisation also reiterated its long-standing call for the creation of an electoral offences commission to ensure accountability for electoral crimes and discourage malpractice.
According to Itodo, these reforms are critical to rebuilding public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system and ensuring that elections are free, fair, and inclusive.
‘Yiaga Africa remains committed to engaging with the National Assembly to ensure the passage of electoral amendments that protect citizens’ rights, and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process’, the statement reads.
Photo source: Yiaga Africa
