Abuja: The Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Sen. Seriake Dickson, has urged the Conference Committee working on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 to back the House of Representatives’ version in its entirety. Dickson, a member of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the house of representatives version reflects what the joint committees, consultants and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) agreed upon. The senate had on Tuesday rescinded its earlier decision on the Electoral Act amendment. It had rejected the mandatory electronic transmission of election results from polling units to INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) after vote counting. The upper chamber consequently re-amended the Electoral Act to accommodate the electronic transmission of results. However, the provision comes with a caveat, that in the event of internet failure, Form EC8A will serve as th
e primary means of result collation.
Speaking with newsmen, Dickson, a former Governor of Bayelsa, emphasized the importance of adopting the House’s version. He stated, “INEC assured us at the committee level of its capacity to transmit results electronically. If the law makes it compulsory, then it is INEC’s duty to acquire and deploy the necessary technology across the country.” He further highlighted the extensive work done over almost two years, involving workshops, joint sessions, and public hearings with various stakeholders to regulate the conduct of elections in Nigeria.
Dickson also pointed out the centrality of electronic transmission to electoral integrity, arguing that manipulation often occurs at collation centers. He noted, “Once results are transmitted immediately after polling, it becomes difficult to alter them.” He expressed concern that the senate’s version, despite using the term ‘shall’, could be susceptible to abuse, emphasizing that exceptions should not become the norm.
The senator
urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue fighting for free, fair, and credible elections. He encouraged citizens to participate fully in elections and ensure compliance with electronic transmission. He also called on INEC to ensure that electronic transmission remains the standard practice, preventing any subversion of democratic processes.
The reconstituted Conference Committee of the Senate, chaired by Sen. Simon Lalong, comprises 12 members, including Senators Adamu Aliero, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, and others. The committee is tasked with concluding its assignment within the month to facilitate the transmission of the harmonized bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent.