Senator Seriake Dickson, a former Bayelsa State governor and member for Bayelsa West, has stated that Nigeria is not yet ready for electronic voting and that the demand for “real-time” transmission of election results is unnecessary.
In an interview with ARISE News on Tuesday, he stated that the concept of real-time transmission is commonly misunderstood.
“What is the definition of real time? We do not vote online in Nigeria. We are not at the point where you can simply push a button and your vote is immediately added to a portal,” he said.
He referred to the phrase as “superfluous,” noting that it does not guarantee transparency.
“The word ‘real time’ in this context is actually superfluous. It doesn’t, on its own, give you a transparent election. It shouldn’t have been there in the first place. It’s never too late to correct something.”
He also stated that the Senate’s latest action on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill should not be seen as a setback for democracy.
“I don’t count the proceedings of today and the outcome as a loss for democracy,” he said.
His comments follow the Senate’s special plenary, which reconsidered Clause 60(3) of the measure in response to popular outcry.
The upper chamber approved transmitting results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IREV); however, manual collation was retained as a backup in the event of a network failure.
However, the Senate did not make electronic transmission mandatory and opposed the addition of real-time upload of results.
Critics say that the absence of an explicit real-time transmission requirement allows for manipulation.
Dickson did, however, clarify that he was speaking in his own capacity.
“I’m not here as spokesman of the Senate. I’m here to give my views as someone who has been deeply involved in all these processes as a ranking member of this committee and as someone who participated in the proceedings of today,” he said.
He explained that discussions over electronic transmission had lasted nearly two years, with consultations and meetings with INEC.
“This has been going on for about two years or so—different workshops, conferences at the Senate Committee, joint committees, and also interactions with INEC,” he said.
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The senator revealed that he was absent when the Senate earlier took the controversial decision due to bereavement.
“I was not there when the Senate took that decision earlier, about a week ago, as I was bereaved. I lost a close brother, the sitting deputy governor of my state. Today was the very first day I went to sit in the Senate because of the importance of this matter,” he said.
Dickson attributed resistance to electronic transmission to old political conflicts, stating, “This issue of electronic transmission is always problematic. Even in the 9th Senate, when we tried to introduce electronic transfer, there was stiff opposition. Somehow, the party in power has always been very resistant to these notions.”
According to him, the Senate Committee and the House of Representatives had initially made a unanimous decision to protect IREV before the issue was changed on the Senate floor.
“There was unanimity of opinion. The same report was presented by the House of Reps committee, and they passed it without controversy. That was what we all agreed on, he added.
He called the previous reversal “unfortunate,” stressing that INEC had informed lawmakers it could adopt electronic transmission.
“What happened in the Senate last week was unfortunate, especially when INEC had already assured us that it could implement electronic transmission,” he said.
Dickson stated that he confronted Senate leadership upon his return and was assured that a compromise would be found.
“When I went in for the sitting, I confronted the leadership. They gave me their word that they were going to find a middle course,” he said.
The former Bayelsa State governor stressed that transparency lies in protecting polling unit results, maintaining that the EC8A form remains the primary evidence of victory.
“The primary evidence of who won an election is the EC8A. Once the votes are counted, agents sign, and copies are issued, INEC compels presiding officers to transmit the result to IREV. That is good enough for us,” he said.
Although he had qualms about the provision permitting manual collation in the event of a network breakdown, Dickson felt compromise was required.
“I don’t agree with the proviso that has been included, but parliament works on the basis of majority,” he said.
He maintained that electronic transmission remains mandatory under the amended clause: “Every presiding officer shall transmit the result electronically. That is mandatory. That is what we passed today,” he said.
Speaking on harmonizing Senate and House versions, he said he would adopt the House position, reflecting earlier consensus.
He said, “If I were a member of the conference committee, I would adopt the House version because it reflects what we all agreed on in the joint committee.”
He also expressed concern about other aspects, including the idea to require all parties to hold direct primaries.
“Direct voting is a concept introduced by the APC. They have no right to enforce it on every other party, particularly the smaller parties.”
Speaking on accountability, Dickson stressed that INEC ultimately holds responsibility. “Even now, without this amendment, INEC guidelines already compel electronic transmission to IREV.” He defended the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling, noting that EC8A forms remain the primary source of proving election results. “The IREV was never intended to be the primary evidence.”
Concluding on electoral reform, he stated that progress must be incremental. “You make gains incrementally. It’s not always your way or the highway. We have made electronic transfer mandatory, and that is progress.”
