According to Vanguard News on February 11, 2026, Senator Seriake Dickson, a ranking member of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, has clarified that the removal of the phrase “real time” from the Electoral Act Amendment Bill does not weaken Nigeria’s electoral process.
In an interview with ARISE News on Tuesday, Dickson explained that electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IREV) remains mandatory under the Senate’s latest decision.
He said: “I don’t count the proceedings of today and the outcome as a loss for democracy.”
The Senate revisited Clause 60(3) after public backlash. Lawmakers restored electronic transmission of results but included a proviso allowing manual collation where network failures occur.
Critics argue that removing the explicit requirement for “real-time” transmission could create loopholes for manipulation. Dickson countered that the core safeguard — protecting IREV — has been preserved.
“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.
Dickson emphasized that discussions on electronic transmission have lasted nearly two years, involving workshops, joint committee sessions, and consultations 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 explained.
Personal Circumstances
The senator revealed that he was absent during the Senate’s earlier rejection of compulsory electronic transmission due to bereavement.
“I was not there when the Senate took that decision earlier, about a week ago, as I was bereaved… Today was the very first day I went to sit in the Senate because of the importance of this matter,” he said.
He described the earlier rejection as “unfortunate,” especially after INEC assured lawmakers of its capacity to transmit results electronically.