The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the proposed bill to amend the Electoral Act 2022, which seeks to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians.

In a statement signed by NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the association described the bill as a blatant violation of civil liberties and democratic principles.

The bill, which imposes fines up to ₦100,000 or imprisonment for failure to vote, was criticized by the NBA as regressive and wholly inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Highlighting the current challenges of voter apathy, insecurity, and electoral malpractice, the NBA criticized the government for attempting to force voter participation through punitive laws rather than addressing the root causes.

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