House of Representatives to Use Electronic Voting for Constitutional Amendments

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has announced that voting on proposed constitutional amendments will take place tomorrow using an electronic voting system, marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s legislative process.

Abbas made the announcement on the floor of the House on Wednesday, confirming that lawmakers will electronically cast their votes when deciding on the amendments. While electronic voting has previously been used in the House for motions and routine resolutions, this will be the first time it is being applied to constitutional amendment decisions.

Traditionally, votes on constitutional changes in Nigeria have been conducted through voice votes or manual counting, methods that have often sparked controversy and disputes over accuracy. The introduction of electronic voting is expected to provide a clearer and verifiable record of how each legislator votes, reducing ambiguity and enhancing credibility.

Constitutional amendments require the approval of at least two-thirds of the total membership of the House of Representatives, a threshold that has historically made the process highly sensitive and contentious. Lawmakers and political observers believe the new voting system will improve transparency and accountability by ensuring that every vote is clearly recorded.

The proposed amendments before the House address critical national matters, including governance reforms and measures aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s federal structure. Supporters of the move say it reflects a broader effort by the current House leadership to modernise parliamentary procedures and rebuild public trust in the legislative arm of government.

As the vote approaches, attention is focused on how the electronic system will function in practice and whether it will set a lasting precedent for future constitutional and legislative decisions in Nigeria.