The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to immediately withdraw a proposed bill that seeks to impose a six-month jail term or a ₦100,000 fine—or both—on eligible Nigerians who fail to vote in national and state elections.

In a letter dated March 29, 2025, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization described the bill as “oppressive” and a direct violation of constitutional and international human rights protections.

“Criminalizing Nigerians for choosing not to vote contradicts the principles of democracy and fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory,” SERAP stated.

The bill, 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 make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians.

SERAP Rejects Mandatory Voting

SERAP strongly opposes the proposed law, arguing that the right to vote also includes the right to abstain from voting.

“A citizen’s right to participate in elections inherently includes the right not to participate. Forcing individuals to vote under threat of imprisonment contradicts democratic principles,” the organization asserted.

Rather than punishing voter apathy, SERAP urged lawmakers to prioritize meaningful electoral reforms, such as:

• Removing constitutional immunity for governors and their deputies implicated in electoral malpractice.

• Addressing the excessive influence of money in politics.

• Ensuring that Resident Electoral Commissioners are nonpartisan.

• Improving voter registration and adopting secure, technology-driven voting processes.

Legal Action Looms

SERAP further warned that it would pursue legal action if the bill is passed into law.

“If the National Assembly proceeds with passing this bill and it is signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, we will challenge its legality in court to prevent its enforcement,” the letter stated.

The organization emphasized that trust in the electoral process must be rebuilt through transparency and accessibility, not coercion.

“The idea of forcing Nigerians to the polls like ‘cattle to the slaughter’ is not only impractical but unlawful,” SERAP added.

This development, first reported by Punch, has sparked debates about voter rights and democratic participation in Nigeria.