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Former senator and human rights activist Shehu Sani has criticized a proposed bill in the House of Representatives seeking to mandate voting for all eligible Nigerians and criminalize non-participation in elections.
The bill, sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, passed its second reading on Thursday, May 15, after intense debate among lawmakers. It aims to tackle Nigeria’s ongoing challenge of low voter turnout during elections.
During the session, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu defended the bill, citing Australia as an example of a country where failure to vote is a punishable offence. According to Kalu, voting is a civic duty that every eligible citizen should take seriously.
However, Shehu Sani rejected the idea, calling it an unnecessary and heavy-handed approach to solving the problem of electoral apathy.
“The bill to jail Nigerians who refuse to vote is unnecessary,” Sani stated plainly.
While the bill’s proponents argue it will strengthen democracy and increase civic engagement, critics like Sani believe that citizens should not be coerced into participating in elections, especially when issues like voter trust, transparency, and insecurity remain unresolved.
As the bill moves forward, it is expected to spark broader national debate on voter rights, civic responsibility, and the appropriate role of the government in enforcing political participation.
