A bill seeking to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerian citizens has passed second reading in the House of Representatives. The proposed legislation aims to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to address the persistent issue of voter apathy in Nigerian elections.

The bill, jointly sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Daniel Ago, was presented during Thursday's plenary session. While leading the debate, Ago emphasized that the primary objective of the amendment is to increase citizens' participation in the electoral process.

"This legislation aims to boost citizens' participation in elections and could significantly help reduce voter apathy if successfully passed through all legislative stages," Ago stated during the presentation.

However, the proposal has not received unanimous support within the House. Mark Esset, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Akwa Ibom State, expressed significant reservations about the bill's approach.

"We shouldn't build on a shaky foundation," Esset argued. "Many Nigerians abstain from voting because they doubt the credibility of the process. If we're going to make voting compulsory, we must also ensure that people believe their votes truly count."

Esset's concerns highlight a broader issue within Nigeria's electoral system, suggesting that mandatory voting alone may not address the underlying problems that contribute to voter apathy.

The bill's passage to second reading indicates significant support among lawmakers, though it must still clear several additional legislative hurdles before potentially becoming law. If enacted, Nigeria would join a small group of countries worldwide that enforce mandatory voting, including Australia, Belgium, and Brazil.

Political analysts note that while mandatory voting could potentially increase turnout figures, the effectiveness of such a measure would largely depend on concurrent reforms to enhance electoral transparency and credibility.

The bill will now proceed to committee stage, where lawmakers will further scrutinize its provisions before it returns to the House for a third reading.