Reps In Rowdy Session Over Motion To Rescind ‘Real-Time’ Clause In Electoral Act

On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the House of Representatives descended into a chaotic and rowdy session as lawmakers clashed over a motion to reverse the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill—specifically the provision for the real-time electronic transmission of election results.

The tension began when Francis Waive, the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, moved a motion to rescind the decision made on December 23, 2025.

His goal was to align the House’s version of the bill with the Senate’s position regarding the electronic transmission of results.

When Speaker Tajudeen Abbas called for a voice vote on the motion, the opposition was deafening.

Despite the “nays” being significantly louder than the “ayes”, the Speaker initially ruled that the “nays had it,” effectively blocking the attempt to rescind the bill.

This ruling sparked immediate outrage and loud protests from various lawmakers who disagreed with the interpretation of the vote.

As the shouting intensified and order broke down on the floor, Speaker Abbas was forced to halt the public proceedings and call for an “executive session” to handle the dispute behind closed doors.