Rowdy session, as Reps split over real-time transmission of election results

Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House of Representatives

The House of Representatives emergency plenary session on Tuesday degenerated into a rowdy seession over the issue of real-time transmission of election results.

The sitting had a single item on the Order Paper: a motion seeking the rescission of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025. The House had earlier passed the amended bill, which provides for real-time transmission of election results under Clause 60(c).

At the session, Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker, directed Francis Waive, chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, to move the motion for the House to rescind its earlier decision. Waive accordingly moved the motion.

Read also: E-transmission: Protest intensifies at N’Assembly ahead of Reps emergency session

When the Speaker put the question to a voice vote, a majority of lawmakers responded “nay”. However, Abbas ruled in favour of the “ayes”, a decision that immediately sparked uproar in the chamber.

Lawmakers who voted “nay” opposed rescinding the earlier decision, and began shouting in protest, raising their voices and challenging the ruling.

The Speaker attempted to restore order, but his efforts proved unsuccessful as the chamber grew tense. He subsequently resolved to move the House into an executive session.

When the motion for an executive session was put to a vote, the “nay” voices were again louder. Despite this, the House proceeded into executive session.

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