February 17, (THEWILL) — Tension flared in the House of Representatives on Tuesday following a dispute over a voice vote on the motion to rescind the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025, with several lawmakers protesting the Speaker’s ruling.
The disagreement arose after a motion seeking to reopen legislative consideration of the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections. Lawmakers suspended ongoing budget defence sessions to deliberate on what was described as a critical matter for the credibility of the next polls.
Presiding, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas commended members who travelled from outside Abuja to attend the sitting, noting that the meeting had a single agenda—the rescission and recommittal of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025.
He said, “The issues before us will define the elections of 2027 and give a clear vision of what is expected to be done,” stressing the need to revisit certain provisions earlier passed by the House.
The motion was moved by Francis Waive, representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency of Delta State, in line with Order Nine, Rule 6 of the House Standing Orders.
Waive recalled that the bill was passed in December 2025, but said a post-passage review by a technical committee had revealed inconsistencies and unintended consequences in some of its provisions.
He explained that the committee comprised the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly, members of the conference committee, clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as legal drafters from the Directorate of Legal Services.
According to him, the proposed review would ensure electoral laws that promote wider participation, fairness, inclusivity, administrative efficiency and public confidence ahead of the 2027 polls.
However, when the Speaker put the motion to a voice vote, the “nays” appeared to be louder, but Abbas ruled in favour of the “yeas,” sparking protests from some lawmakers, who insisted that the outcome did not reflect the vote.
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