Members of parliament in the West African nation of Sierra Leone engaged in a physical fight after disagreeing on a new electoral system.
A video footage posted on Twitter shows lawmakers exchanging punches and shouting inside the parliament building.
The parliamentarians were also throwing a huge object that is identified as the parliamentary mace, from one side of the chamber to the other – and then back.
Police officers then wrestled their way in to stop the brawl. Some of the MPs were reportedly thrown out.
Brawl and brouhaha in Sierra Leone Parliament. #SierraLeone #SierraLeoneParliament #Freetown pic.twitter.com/vv3LmJgEd9
— Alhaji Musa Bah (@omegabritishbah) November 23, 2022
According to the BBC, members from the governing and opposition parties were pitted against each other over a plan to bring in proportional representation for next year’s local and general elections.
The proposals from the electoral commission require parliamentary approval.