According to The Guardian, A proposed bill in Nigeria’s National Assembly that seeks to impose a six-month jail term or a ₦100,000 fine on citizens who fail to vote in national and state elections has ignited widespread criticism.
The bill, which aims to enforce mandatory voting, has been labeled “oppressive” by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and drew sharp condemnation from Senator Shehu Sani, a prominent human rights activist and former senator.
Senator Sani, known for his pivotal role in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy, took to X on Thursday, stating, “The Bill to jail Nigerians who refused to vote is unnecessary.” His post, shared quickly gained traction, prompting varied reactions from Nigerians. SERAP had earlier, in a letter urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to withdraw the bill, arguing that it violates the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights obligations. The organization emphasized that jailing citizens for not voting undermines democratic principles and called for focus on tackling electoral offenses like vote-buying and voter suppression by high-ranking officials.
Critics argue that the bill fails to address systemic issues like electoral integrity and public distrust in the voting process and suggest the bill might disproportionately target marginalized groups, such as the Igbo, who have historically felt disenfranchised. Meanwhile, SERAP proposed constitutional amendments to introduce internet-based voter registration and modern technology to improve transparency in elections. As debates continue, the bill is said to have exposed deep fissures in Nigeria’s democratic framework, raising questions about the balance between civic duty and individual rights.
Explore More News By Using The Button Below.
