Reps Set for Historic Electronic Constitution Vote

In a landmark shift for Nigeria’s legislative process, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, announced on Wednesday that the lower chamber will adopt electronic voting for the upcoming constitutional amendment process. This development marks the first time in the nation’s history that such a high-stakes legislative exercise will be conducted through a digital tallying system, moving away from the traditional manual methods that have defined constitutional reviews for decades.

Addressing lawmakers during Wednesday’s plenary, Abbas confirmed that the electronic voting infrastructure would be fully deployed on Thursday when the House begins casting votes on various proposed amendments. While the House has previously integrated electronic voting for routine motions and resolutions, constitutional amendments—which carry the weight of the supreme law of the land—have historically relied on voice votes or tedious manual counting. This transition is seen as a modernized approach to ensuring that the two-thirds majority requirement, often a source of friction and procedural disputes, is met with mathematical precision.

Political observers and civil society groups have long advocated for this shift, arguing that manual voting on constitutional matters often lacked the transparency necessary for such a sensitive task. By utilizing the electronic system, the House aims to provide a definitive and verifiable record of how each representative voted on specific clauses. This level of accountability is expected to discourage “shadow voting” and provide constituents with a clear view of their representatives’ stances on critical national issues, ranging from local government autonomy to judicial reforms.

The significance of this move is underscored by the historically contentious nature of constitutional amendments in Nigeria. Past assemblies have frequently been mired in controversy over the accuracy of “Ayes” and “Nays,” with minority voices often claiming the results were manipulated or miscounted. With the new system, each member’s vote will be individually recorded and stored, creating an immutable trail that minimizes the room for legislative disputes. As the House prepares for Thursday’s session, the adoption of this technology is being hailed as a major win for parliamentary integrity and a vital step toward deepening democratic culture within the National Assembly.