Members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday clashed loudly during a plenary session over a motion to reverse the passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, sparking a rowdy environment on the floor of the chamber.
The trouble began when Francis Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, moved a motion asking lawmakers to rescind the 23rd December 2025 passage of the bill and send it back to the committee for fresh consideration.
“The House resolves to rescind the decision on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025 and commit the same to the Committee of the Whole for consideration,” Waive said.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the motion to a voice vote and ruled that the “nays” — those opposed — had it, even as many lawmakers protested loudly, claiming their side had won.
That judgment triggered loud objections and shouting on the floor.
“The session became rowdy after lawmakers openly disagreed over the ruling,” a lawmaker said after the session.
Members also rejected a separate call to go into an executive (closed-door) session before the speaker eventually sent the chamber behind closed doors to calm tensions and continue discussions.
“Deliberations are ongoing behind closed doors,” another lawmaker said.
The motion reflects ongoing disputes over differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, particularly on clauses such as electronic transmission of election results, which civil society groups and youth activists have strongly pushed for.
Despite the clashes, lawmakers indicated their intent to fine-tune the bill’s provisions to ensure the electoral framework is strengthened ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The House of Representatives and Senate have already set up committees to harmonise their competing versions of the bill before it can be sent to the President for assent.
