The House of Representatives erupted into a heated session as lawmakers debated a motion to rescind the real-time electronic transmission clause in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025.
The controversy began when Francis Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, moved to reverse the House’s December 23, 2025 approval of the provision, which mandates that results from polling units be transmitted electronically to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) immediately after signing the EC8A form.
During the session on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, a voice vote was called, but protests erupted after Speaker Tajudeen Abbas ruled the motion carried, forcing proceedings into a closed executive session.
READ ALSO: Reps Call Emergency Sitting Over 2027 Election Timetable
A separate motion to return the bill to the Committee of the Whole was also rejected.
The clause has caused tension with the Senate, which earlier this month removed the real-time wording while retaining electronic transmission with a manual backup.
A conference committee is now working to harmonise both chambers’ versions.
The outcome is expected to shape reforms for the 2027 general elections and could have significant implications for electoral transparency.