Nigeria scraps controversial bill making voting mandatory

Following a backlash from lawyers and rights groups, Nigeria has scrapped a controversial bill that would have made voting mandatory.

It had proposed a six-month jail term, or a $63 fine, for eligible voters who failed to cast their ballots.

The bill sailed through its second reading 10 days but a government spokesperson said it decided to withdraw it follow consultations with a “broad spectrum of stakeholders”.

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