From Staff Writer
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has fiercely condemned a controversial bill currently before the National Assembly that seeks to make voting compulsory and penalise Nigerians who fail to vote in national and state elections without valid justification.
The bill, formally titled “Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to Make it Mandatory for All Nigerians of Majority Age to Vote in All National and State Elections and for Related Matters,” proposes fines of up to ₦100,000, a jail term of six months, or both for any eligible voter who fails to participate in elections without a valid excuse.
In a strongly worded statement released on Sunday, NANS described the proposed legislation as “ridiculous and laughable,” arguing that voting is a constitutional right, not a legal obligation to be enforced through threats of punishment.
The student body expressed concern that the bill does nothing to address the deep-rooted flaws plaguing Nigeria’s electoral system, including persistent electoral fraud, vote rigging, voter intimidation, and lack of transparency.
“This bill is a misplaced priority and a deliberate distraction from the urgent need for meaningful electoral reforms,” NANS stated. “Rather than criminalising non-voters, the National Assembly should channel its efforts towards correcting the systemic irregularities that discourage Nigerians from participating in elections in the first place.”
NANS maintained that voter apathy in Nigeria stems largely from widespread distrust in the electoral process, disillusionment with political leadership, and a perceived lack of genuine accountability from elected officials. According to the group, these are the issues that lawmakers should be focusing on if they are genuinely committed to strengthening democracy.
The association further vowed to mobilise students nationwide to resist the bill, describing it as undemocratic and regressive. It also called on civil society organisations, organised labour, professional groups, and all democratic stakeholders to reject what it termed “a veiled attempt at coercion.”
“This bill is not only unjust but also undermines the fundamental principles of democracy. Citizens should be encouraged, not forced, to participate in elections. The path to improving voter turnout lies in restoring public confidence in the electoral system, not in passing punitive laws,” the statement added.
As public debate around the bill intensifies, many observers warn that the proposed legislation could spark wider protests and civil unrest if pushed through without broad consultation. For now, NANS stands as one of the loudest voices challenging what it views as an infringement on citizens’ rights, reaffirming its commitment to defending democratic freedoms in Nigeria.
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