Proceedings in the House of Representatives on Tuesday were disrupted after lawmakers clashed over a motion seeking to revisit the Electoral Act Amendment bill earlier passed in December 2025.
The motion was introduced by Francis Waive, chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, who urged the chamber to reverse its earlier decision on the legislation adopted on December 23.
When the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, subjected the motion to a voice vote, the “nays” appeared louder than the “ayes.” However, Abbas ruled in favour of the motion, a decision that sparked loud protests across the chamber as lawmakers shouted in objection.
In an attempt to restore order, the Speaker proposed moving into a closed-door executive session, but members rejected the suggestion. Despite the resistance, Abbas proceeded to direct the House into an executive session.
The controversy comes months after the green chamber passed amendments to the Electoral Act, including a provision mandating the real-time transmission of election results to the result viewing portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission.