Rowdy Session in House of Reps as Lawmakers Reject Motion to Rescind Electoral Act Amendment

Proceedings in the House of Representatives turned chaotic on Tuesday as lawmakers fiercely opposed a motion seeking to rescind the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, forcing the chamber into a closed-door session.

The drama unfolded during plenary when Francis Waive, the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, moved a motion for the House to reverse its decision on the controversial bill, which had been passed on December 23, 2025.

The motion aimed to revisit certain clauses within the legislation that have sparked heated debate since its initial approval.

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However, the attempt to reopen the bill was met with stiff resistance. When the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, put the motion to a voice vote, the chamber erupted with a resounding “nay,” with opponents clearly outshouting those in support.

Despite the overwhelming rejection by voice vote, Speaker Abbas ruled in favor of the “ayes,” a decision that instantly triggered protests from lawmakers across party lines.

The floor descended into a shouting match as aggrieved members hollered their objections, challenging the Speaker’s ruling and demanding that the will of the majority be respected.

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In a bid to restore order, Speaker Abbas called for an executive session to discuss the matter privately.

This proposal was also met with loud disapproval, as lawmakers insisted on resolving the issue in the open plenary. Ignoring the resistance, the Speaker proceeded to move the House into a closed-door executive session, leaving the outcome of the contentious motion hanging in the balance.

The incident highlights the deep divisions within the legislative body regarding the future of the nation’s electoral framework, particularly as the 2027 general elections draw closer.