The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has officially withdrawn the controversial compulsory voting bill following significant backlash from civil society organisations and legal experts across Nigeria.

The proposed legislation, which sought to amend the 2022 Electoral Act, would have imposed a six-month jail term or a fine of N100,000 on registered voters who fail to participate in elections. The bill had successfully passed its second reading on May 15 after being co-sponsored by Abbas and Representative Daniel Asama Ago.

Prominent organisations including CISLAC and Yiaga Africa, alongside numerous legal experts, had condemned the bill as undemocratic and impractical, arguing that it infringed on citizens' fundamental rights.

The withdrawal announcement came on Sunday night through a statement issued by the Speaker's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi.

"From the outset, the bill was introduced with the best of intentions... Nevertheless, the Speaker acknowledges that lawmaking is ultimately about the people it serves, and that any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment," the statement read.

According to the statement, Speaker Abbas will now focus on developing "positive incentives and innovative approaches" to encourage civic engagement without resorting to compulsory measures.

The withdrawal represents a significant victory for civil society groups and citizens who had voiced concerns about the potential implications of mandatory voting in Nigeria's democratic system.

Political analysts note that while increasing voter participation remains a challenge in Nigerian elections, punitive measures may not be the most effective approach to addressing voter apathy.