Nigeria’s House of Representatives is set conduct votes on proposed constitutional amendments using an electronic voting system, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced on Wednesday, a first for high-stakes legislative decisions in Nigeria.
Speaking on the floor, Abbas said the electronic system will be employed when lawmakers cast their votes on the amendments tomorrow. He noted that while electronic voting has previously been used for motions and routine resolutions, constitutional amendments had traditionally relied on voice votes or manual counting.
“The move to electronic voting will ensure accurate records, minimize disputes, and increase transparency in one of the most important legislative processes”, Abbas said.
Constitutional amendments require the support of at least two-thirds of House members, a threshold that has often sparked controversy in past assemblies. Lawmakers and observers believe that electronic voting will make the process more accountable, as each member’s vote will be individually recorded.
The amendments under review address critical national issues, including governance reforms and measures to strengthen Nigeria’s federal structure.
The adoption of electronic voting is part of the current House leadership’s broader effort to modernize legislative procedures, enhance transparency, and boost public confidence in the law-making process.
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