Senator Dickson Assures Nigerians INEC Can Transmit Election Results Electronically

Former Bayelsa State governor and current Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Seriake Dickson, has assured Nigerians that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the technical capacity to transmit election results electronically from polling units across the country.

Speaking on the sidelines of recent legislative debates, Dickson emphasized that his assurance was based on consultations with INEC officials, who confirmed that the commission can implement electronic result uploads nationwide. The move is aimed at enhancing transparency and boosting public confidence in electoral outcomes. The assurance comes amid public controversy over amendments to the Electoral Act, which removed the phrase “real-time” from the provision on result transmission. Critics argue that this could undermine transparency, while supporters maintain that it allows flexibility in the event of network or connectivity challenges on election day. Dickson clarified that the removal of the phrase “real-time” does not weaken the mandatory nature of electronic transmission. He noted that INEC remains obliged to transmit results electronically, and the printed Form EC8A from polling units will serve as an official fallback where technical issues arise. Civil society groups, however, continue to push for stricter wording to prevent delays or manipulation during result collation, highlighting ongoing public concern over electoral integrity.