For the first time in Nigeria’s legislative history, members of the House of Representatives will use an electronic voting system to decide on constitutional amendments.
Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, made the announcement during plenary on Wednesday, December 17, explaining that lawmakers would cast their votes electronically when deliberations on the proposed changes take place on Thursday.
Abbas noted that while the House had previously experimented with electronic voting for routine motions and resolutions, major legislative decisions such as constitutional amendments had always relied on manual or voice voting.
“The electronic voting system will be employed when lawmakers cast their votes on the amendments on Thursday,” Abbas confirmed.
He said the adoption of the electronic process was intended to produce more accurate results and eliminate controversies that often arise over manual vote counts.
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Constitutional amendments in Nigeria require the support of at least two-thirds of House members—a threshold that has, in the past, triggered disputes over counting accuracy and irregularities.
Parliamentary observers and analysts have praised the shift, describing it as a long-overdue reform that will make legislative proceedings more transparent and accountable.
Each lawmaker’s individual vote will now be clearly recorded, ensuring a verifiable record of participation in the process.
Lawmakers say the decision reflects the House’s commitment to enhancing credibility in lawmaking and embracing technology to strengthen democratic institutions.
The reform marks a significant milestone in legislative procedure, signalling the Ninth Assembly’s resolve to modernise its voting systems and ensure that critical constitutional decisions are made with accuracy and transparency.