Breaking: House Of Reps Approves Electronic Transmission Of Election Results Amid Heated Chaos

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved provisions for both real-time electronic transmission and manual collation of election results.

The decision followed intense debate over the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025, ahead of the 2027 elections.

Earlier, the House had gone into a closed-door session to restore order and allow members to deliberate further on the bill. However, the chamber erupted into another chaotic session after nearly two hours, as lawmakers resumed debate and insisted on clause-by-clause consideration of the contentious legislation.

Tensions escalated when the Deputy Speaker, who presided over the session, initially attempted to take the report in bulk rather than examine it clause by clause. Lawmakers immediately objected, shouting protests and insisting that, given the far-reaching implications for the 2027 polls, each clause must be debated and voted on individually.

The Deputy Speaker halted proceedings and restarted the session, agreeing to a clause-by-clause review.

Following the deliberations, Clause 60(3) was adopted, providing for both real-time electronic transmission and manual collation of election results.

Rep. Bamidele Salam moved to remove the provision allowing manual transmission, arguing that retaining it could undermine the credibility and technological advancement of the electoral process. The motion was seconded by Rep. Kingsley Chinda.

When put to a voice vote, however, the “nays” prevailed, defeating the attempt to eliminate manual transmission from the clause.