Hon member, during the recording of the vote on nominations for Inspector-General yesterday in the House, 11 members approached the Table with the understanding that their voting devices were not working. The normal practice is to add the names of these members to the vote. On a quick check it was established that three of the 11 members had already cast their votes.
In light of the above, the Table advised the Deputy Speaker that 269 members had voted in favour and 5 members had abstained, and had all members voted, the required majority would have been obtained. On reconciling the electronic voting results with the names submitted to the Table, it was established that eight of the members' names indeed appeared on the electronic voting list as having already voted. Thus, only 265 voted in favour and the required majority is 267.
It seemed that the electronic voting system did not indicate to members that their votes had been recorded. Rule 92 reads:
In the event of confusion or error concerning a division, another division shall take place, unless the numbers can be corrected otherwise.
It is evident that this Rule must now be applied. The question will, therefore, have to be put to the House again.