Why Compulsory Voting Could Be Illegal Under Nigerian Law – Falana Explains
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas introduced a bill proposing fines or imprisonment for eligible voters who abstain from elections, aiming to combat voter apathy and make voting a statutory obligation. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana strongly opposes the bill, arguing it violates constitutional rights to privacy, freedom of thought, and conscience, as guaranteed in sections 37, 38, 77(2), 135(5), and 178(5) of the 1999 Constitution. Falana cited Supreme Court precedents upholding individual freedoms, including the right to refuse medical treatment based on belief. He also highlighted the impracticality of prosecuting millions of potential boycotters. Instead, Falana urges the House to focus on substantive electoral reforms such as breaking up INEC and proportional representation, as recommended by the Uwais Electoral Reform Panel.
