Falana Criticizes Proposed Mandatory Voting in Nigeria, Warns Against Potential Legal Invalidity |LAGOS EYE NEWS

Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has criticised a proposed bill seeking to make voting compulsory in Nigeria, describing it as a violation of citizens’ constitutional rights.

The bill, sponsored by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, proposes a six-month jail term or a fine of N100,000 for eligible voters who fail to participate in elections.

Abbas said the objective is to address low voter turnout, promote civic responsibility, and transform voting from a personal choice into a legal obligation.

Irked by this development, Falana, in a statement issued on Monday, said the proposal runs contrary to several provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

He said, “I doubt that the speaker and his colleagues paid sufficient attention to the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

“Otherwise, they would have realised that compulsory voting is constitutionally invalid in every material particular on the ground that it is inconsistent with sections 37, 38, 77(2), 135(5), and 178(5) of the constitution,” he said.

According to the human rights lawyer, these constitutional provisions safeguard the rights of Nigerians to privacy, freedom of thought and conscience, as well as the right to register and vote voluntarily in national and state elections.

He urged the House of Representatives to withdraw the bill, warning of its impracticality and potential legal invalidity. Falana concluded by advising lawmakers to redirect their efforts towards meaningful reforms.

He recommended amending the Electoral Act to include key proposals from the Uwais Electoral Reform Panel, such as the unbundling of the Independent National Electoral Commission, adoption of proportional representation, resolution of election petitions before inauguration, and establishment of an electoral offences commission.