NANS SLAMS NASS OVER PROPOSED BILL TO FINE, JAIL NON-VOTERS
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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly criticized the National Assembly over a proposed bill seeking to mandate voting and impose jail terms on citizens who fail to participate in elections.
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,” warning lawmakers to abandon the proposal or risk backlash from the student community.
The NASS had proposed a new 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.’
If enacted, the bill would make it compulsory for all eligible Nigerians to vote, representing a major shift in the country’s electoral process.
It proposes penalties for non-compliance, including a fine of N100,000, a six-month jail term, or both for any eligible voter who fails to cast their ballot without a valid excuse.
The bill, which has triggered widespread debate nationwide, is intended—according to the National Assembly—to curb voter apathy and boost civic engagement in Nigeria’s democratic system.
However, in her statement, Akinbodunse criticized the bill as a misplaced priority by the lawmakers and called for its outright rejection. She argued that voting is a constitutional right, not an obligation, especially in a system where many Nigerians feel disillusioned about the impact of their votes.
Her words: “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?
“It is unfortunate that the NASS, which is saddled with the constitutional responsibility and duty to make laws that will ensure the development of the nation and protect its citizens, is the one proposing a bill capable of strangulating the same people. Instead of the NASS making laws that will strengthen our democracy and enhance the electoral processes, it has busied itself with passing a bill that will infringe on the rights of Nigerians.
“It is known by Nigerians that the country’s electoral processes are still fraught with irregularities and loopholes that give room for electoral fraud and rigging. This is the area NANS expects the National Assembly to work on. Rather, it has continued to make Nigerians doubt the competence and sincerity of members of both the Senate and House of Representatives.
“This proposed bill is another comedy show from the stable of the NASS. As the umbrella body of students in the country, NANS will mobilize massively against this proposed bill aimed at imposing a needless law on Nigerians.”
Akinbodunse, who declared that NANS would mobilize massively against the proposed bill, urged civil societies, organized labour, and other stakeholders to stand against the proposed legislation, which she described as “a low one from the National Assembly.”
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