Let me be clear: INEC told us they have the capacity to transmit election results nationwide-Dickson

Former Governor of Bayelsa State and current Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has expressed confidence in the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission to electronically transmit election results directly from polling units across the country.

According to Leadership, in a post shared on his Facebook page, Dickson voiced his dissatisfaction with the Senate’s initial refusal to approve a clause mandating the electronic transmission of election results. The provision, according to him, was the product of more than two years of legislative effort by members of the Electoral Committee and other stakeholders. He commended the House of Representatives for endorsing the version of the measure that had been jointly agreed upon.

Dickson explained that he learned of the Senate’s decision while he was in Bayelsa observing a period of mourning following the death of his brother, who served as Deputy Governor. Upon returning to legislative duties and attending his first Senate plenary of the year on Tuesday, he said he immediately engaged Senate leadership on the matter.

He further disclosed that the Senate subsequently reconsidered its position through a motion for rescission sponsored by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno. However, the revised position reportedly included a proviso recognising the validity of election results in areas where technological or network challenges might hinder electronic transmission.

The senator maintained that INEC had assured lawmakers of its readiness and technical ability to transmit results nationwide, and he stated that he had no reason to doubt the commission’s claim. Nevertheless, he acknowledged the realities of parliamentary procedure, noting that lawmaking often involves negotiations, compromise, and gradual advancements rather than sweeping victories at once. He characterised the latest development not as a setback for democracy but as a step forward achieved through incremental progress.

“Let me be clear: INEC had told us that they have the capacity to transmit election results nationwide, and we believe them. However, in parliament, you don’t get all you want at the time you want. The parliamentary system involves lobbying, negotiations, consensus-building, and making incremental progress. What happened today was not a loss to democracy; it was incremental progress,” he added.

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