NANS Slams National Assembly Over Proposed Mandatory Voting Bill

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly criticized the National Assembly over a proposed bill seeking to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians, warning that the legislation could provoke mass resistance from Nigerian students.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abeokuta, the NANS National Vice President for Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs, Akinbodunse Sileola Felicia, described the bill as “ridiculous and laughable,” and urged lawmakers to abandon what she termed a misguided initiative.

The proposed legislation, 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,” seeks to penalize eligible voters who fail to cast their ballots without valid justification.

If passed, violators could face a N100,000 fine, a six-month jail term, or both.

While the bill aims to tackle voter apathy and boost civic engagement, it has sparked outrage and intense debate across the country.

Reacting to the development, Akinbodunse said the proposal was a misplaced priority and an infringement on citizens’ constitutional rights.

“NANS views the proposed bill by the National Assembly to impose fines and a jail term on eligible Nigerians who do not vote as not only ridiculous but laughable.

The bill, if passed, will make Nigeria a laughing stock among the comity of nations. Where in the world is a non-participant in an election jailed or fined?” she queried.

She further criticized the National Assembly for focusing on punitive legislation rather than addressing the underlying flaws in Nigeria’s electoral system.

“It is unfortunate that the NASS, which is saddled with the responsibility of making laws that ensure national development and protect citizens, is instead proposing a bill capable of strangulating the same people.

Instead of strengthening our democracy and electoral process, they are busy pushing a law that infringes on fundamental rights,” she said.

Akinbodunse pointed out that electoral fraud, rigging, and lack of transparency remain pressing concerns for Nigerian voters, many of whom feel disillusioned about the credibility of elections.

“The country’s electoral processes are still fraught with irregularities and loopholes.

This is the area NANS expects the National Assembly to focus on—not crafting comedy acts under the guise of legislative reforms,” she added.

The student leader declared that NANS would mobilize its members nationwide to oppose the bill and called on civil society organizations, labour unions, and other stakeholders to join in rejecting what she described as “a low point for the National Assembly.”

“NANS will resist any attempt to impose a needless and oppressive law on Nigerians. We urge all patriotic Nigerians to rise against this proposal,” she stated.