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A measure that would require voting and imprison Nigerians who do not cast their ballots has drawn criticism from the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS.

The student body called the bill “ridiculous but laughable” in a statement released on Sunday in Abeokuta by its National Vice President, Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs, Akinbodunse Sileola Felicia. The students urged the NASS to abandon the ridiculous notion or risk the wrath of Nigerian students.

The NASS had presented a new measure 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.’

All eligible Nigerians will be required to vote if the measure is approved, which would significantly alter the country’s electoral system.

It suggests that any qualified voter who does not cast a ballot without a good reason could be punished with a fine of N100,000, six months in jail, or both.

According to NASS, the measure has generated intense discussions throughout the nation and seeks to improve civic engagement in the democratic process while addressing voter apathy, a recurring problem in Nigerian elections.

However, Akinbodunse stated in the statement that the proposed measure should be rejected because it is a misguided priority by the NASS.

She went on to say that Nigerians who are able to vote, as guaranteed by the constitution, cannot be forced to do so, especially if they firmly believe their votes are meaningless.

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 vowed that NANS will mobilize massively against the planned bill, asked civil society, organized labor, and other stakeholders to protest against the proposed legislation, which she described as “a low one from the National Assembly.”

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