The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly condemned a controversial bill introduced by the National Assembly that seeks to criminalize voter apathy, warning that it would mobilize students across the country for a mass protest if the proposal is not withdrawn.
In a strongly-worded statement issued in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Sunday, the association’s Vice President for Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs, Felicia Akinbodunse, described the bill as “ridiculous, laughable, and a gross misplacement of legislative priorities.”
The proposed bill, titled “Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act 2022”, aims to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians. The legislation, introduced by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, seeks to impose a fine of N100,000, a six-month jail term, or both on any citizen who fails to vote in national and state elections without a valid reason.
The bill is reportedly intended to curb the high rate of voter apathy that has marred Nigerian elections in recent years. However, it has sparked widespread outrage among civil rights groups, legal experts, and youth bodies like NANS, who argue that the proposal undermines democratic freedom and ignores the root causes of low voter turnout.
Akinbodunse, speaking on behalf of Nigerian students, said it is deeply troubling that lawmakers are focused on punishing non-voters rather than fixing the country’s broken electoral system. “This bill is nothing but an insult to democracy. Voting is a right, not a compulsory civic punishment,” she said.
She further argued that Nigeria’s electoral process is still plagued with systemic flaws such as voter suppression, vote buying, rigging, and lack of trust in the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). “Nigerians are skeptical because they have repeatedly seen their votes manipulated. Fix that first before proposing any form of punishment,” she added.
NANS also criticized the National Assembly for what it called “a dangerous distraction” from pressing issues facing the nation, including insecurity, youth unemployment, inflation, and the underfunding of education. “Instead of enacting laws to improve our lives, they are creating new ways to oppress and intimidate us,” Akinbodunse said.
She warned that Nigerian students would not sit idly by while their rights are trampled upon. “We will mobilize. We will protest. We will resist this bill with everything we have. Civil society organizations, labour unions, and all well-meaning Nigerians must rise and defend our democracy,” she emphasized.
Legal analysts have also faulted the proposed bill, questioning its constitutionality. According to constitutional lawyer, Barr. Chuka Eze, forcing citizens to vote under threat of imprisonment contravenes fundamental human rights, especially the freedom of choice. “You cannot jail someone for choosing not to participate in an election. That’s draconian,” he told newsmen.
Several Nigerians on social media have also condemned the move, calling it “an authoritarian approach to a democratic problem.” The hashtags #RejectCompulsoryVoting and #SayNoToJailForNonVoters have been trending on X (formerly Twitter) as many youth-led movements weigh in on the issue.
While a few countries like Australia and Belgium enforce compulsory voting, those policies come with strong institutional support, political transparency, and functional electoral systems—conditions that many argue are still lacking in Nigeria. In these nations, enforcement is mild, and turnout is naturally high due to citizens’ trust in governance—not fear of punishment.
Despite the backlash, the bill is scheduled for deliberation at the National Assembly in the coming weeks. Analysts say public pressure will be critical in determining its fate. NANS has vowed to keep the pressure on, warning that any attempt to pass the bill will be met with mass resistance across tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
“The National Assembly must remember that it was elected by the people to serve, not to suppress. We demand that this bill be withdrawn immediately,” Akinbodunse concluded.