Senate President Wade Mark used his casting vote to break a 15-15 deadlock in the Senate on Monday evening, allowing the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to be passed in the Senate.
The Bill split the Senate evenly, with the Senate President exercising his authority to cast the deciding vote, allowing the Bill to be passed with a final margin of 16-15.
Speaking after Opposition Senators questioned his decision, Mr Mark maintained that he was not required to provide reasons for his casting vote, noting that there was “no settled practice” governing such circumstances.
“Listen, my reason remains as constant as a northern star. And first, no, I, no, listen, listen, listen, listen, the standing order is very clear. I don’t have to give a reason. I don’t have to give a reason, but, no, no, no, the standing order is very clear and because Senator Al-Rawi has asked the question, I have said again, because of my last casting vote, there is no settled practice as it relates to this question of the standing orders, the casting vote, rather, in respect of the status quo.”