Senator Seriake Dickson, who was also the former governor of Bayelsa State, has criticised the Senate’s handling of the electronic transmission clause in the ongoing Electoral Act amendment, describing the inclusion of a proviso allowing exceptions for network failure as a deviation from an earlier consensus, though he maintains the reform still represents progress.
Dickson, a member of the Senate Electoral Committee, spoke Tuesday during an interview on ARISE Television, where he recounted his reaction to the Senate’s earlier refusal to pass a clause mandating electronic transmission of election results directly from polling units.
The senator said he learned of the development while in Bayelsa State mourning his late brother, who was Deputy Governor.
“I felt deeply disappointed,” Dickson said. “This was what we had been working on for the past two years.”
According to him, the House of Representatives had passed “exactly what we agreed on” during joint consultations and workshops involving lawmakers and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He commended Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and members of the House for what he described as standing by the harmonised position.
Dickson acknowledged public backlash that followed the Senate’s decision.
“I saw the protests, the agitations, and the anger by Nigerians, and I share in them,” he said. Senate Reconsiders
The Bayelsa lawmaker disclosed that upon returning to plenary for an emergency session, he engaged Senate leadership over the matter. A motion for rescission was subsequently moved by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, reopening debate on the clause.
However, the revised version passed by the Senate includes a proviso validating results in instances where electronic transmission fails due to network challenges.
Dickson said he disagrees with that addition.
“If I were a member of the Conference Committee, I would have voted for the House version because that was what we agreed on,” he stated, arguing that laws are meant to establish general rules rather than exceptions.
Still, he described the outcome as a product of legislative compromise.
“In parliament, you don’t get all you want at the time you want,” he said. “The parliamentary system involves lobbying, negotiations, consensus-building, and making incremental progress.”
He added: “What happened today was not a loss to democracy; it was incremental progress.”
Addressing concerns about transparency, Dickson clarified that INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IREV) does not collate or declare election results but provides public access to polling unit results once uploaded.
“It does not collate election results, nor is it proof of any election win, but it shows results in real time,” he explained.
He noted that manipulation historically occurs at ward and local government collation centres, not at polling units where results are first declared and recorded on Form EC8A.
According to him, mandatory upload of polling unit results to IREV would enable parties and observers to independently verify outcomes and reduce interference at collation stages.
Political Realities
Dickson also referenced the balance of power within the Senate, noting that the opposition lacks the numbers to determine outcomes unilaterally.
“This was the best we could get under the circumstances,” he said.
The senator expressed confidence in INEC’s capacity to transmit results nationwide, citing assurances previously given to lawmakers.
“Anywhere someone can make calls, send or receive money electronically, INEC can also upload and transmit election results electronically,” he said.
He added that presiding officers would be guided by INEC regulations and risk sanctions if they fail to comply with transmission requirements.
Call for Civic Engagement
While reiterating that Nigeria does not practise electronic voting, meaning votes are counted manually at polling units before declaration and Dickson urged citizens to remain engaged in the electoral process.
“After results are declared by Presiding Officers, real-time monitoring begins on IREV,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to mobilise at polling units, vote for credible candidates, and insist on transparency in the transmission of results.
“Sensitise and mobilise. Don’t give up on our democracy,” he urged.
The differing versions passed by the Senate and House are expected to be harmonised by a conference committee before a final bill is transmitted for presidential assent.
