“Incremental Progress, Not Defeat”: Senator Seriake Dickson Breaks Silence on Senate’s Electronic Transmission Controversy
Nigeria’s democracy once again found itself at the center of national debate following the Senate’s decision regarding the mandatory electronic transmission of election results. In a candid and emotionally charged interview on ARISE Television, Senator Seriake Dickson offered a detailed explanation of what transpired inside the National Assembly — and why, despite public outrage, he believes democracy is still moving forward.
His remarks come at a time when electoral transparency, real-time monitoring, and electronic transmission of results remain some of the most critical issues shaping public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
A Personal and Political Disappointment
Senator Dickson revealed that he was in Bayelsa State mourning the passing of his brother, the Deputy Governor, when he received news that the Senate had refused to pass the clause mandating electronic transmission of election results directly from polling stations.
For him, the development was not just legislative disappointment — it was personal.
As a member of the Electoral Committee and a long-standing advocate for electoral reform, Dickson noted that the electronic transmission provision was something lawmakers had painstakingly worked on for over two years. The harmonised version, agreed upon after multiple workshops, stakeholder engagements, and consultations — including with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) — had already been passed by the House of Representatives.
He publicly commended the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, and members of the House for what he described as “doing the right thing.”
The divergence between the two chambers triggered widespread protests, agitation, and anger among Nigerians. Civil society groups, electoral reform advocates, and opposition figures expressed concern that weakening electronic transmission could open the door to manipulation during result collation.
Senator Dickson said he shares that frustration.
A Long History of Advocacy for Electronic Transmission
Dickson reminded Nigerians that he has consistently championed electronic transmission of election results. During the 9th Senate, he and other reform-minded lawmakers even forced a division of the Senate — a rare parliamentary procedure — to push the issue.
Electronic transmission has become central to Nigeria’s electoral reform conversation, particularly following controversies surrounding previous general elections. INEC introduced technological innovations such as:
Smart Card Readers
Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS)
INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV)
The IREV portal, especially during the 2023 general elections, allowed Nigerians to view uploaded polling unit results in near real-time, significantly increasing transparency compared to previous electoral cycles.
According to INEC, IREV is designed to upload polling unit results after they are declared and signed by Presiding Officers. While it does not collate or officially determine winners, it provides transparency and serves as a reference point for parties and observers.
Dickson emphasized that electronic transmission from polling units remains one of the strongest safeguards against result manipulation at collation centres — historically one of the most contentious stages of Nigerian elections.
Confrontation, Negotiation, and Parliamentary Reality
Upon returning from mourning, Senator Dickson attended the emergency Senate session and confronted members of the Senate leadership regarding the controversial decision.
He disclosed that Senate leaders assured him steps would be taken to address concerns. Subsequently, a motion for rescission was introduced by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno.
However, the revised Senate position included a proviso validating election results that could not be electronically transmitted due to network failure.
This addition sparked further debate.
Dickson made his stance clear: while he disagrees with the proviso, he understands parliamentary realities.
In his words, legislative work involves lobbying, negotiation, consensus-building, and incremental progress. The opposition bloc does not currently have the numerical strength to dictate outcomes unilaterally. Therefore, while the final Senate version was not the ideal outcome, he described it as “incremental progress” rather than a democratic setback.
“In parliament,” he explained, “you don’t get all you want at the time you want — especially when you don’t have the numbers.”
Understanding IREV and Electronic Transmission
A major source of public confusion, Dickson noted, lies in misunderstanding what IREV actually does.
He clarified several key points:
1. Nigeria does not practice electronic voting. Votes are still cast manually.
2. Real-time monitoring only begins after declaration at polling units. Presiding Officers count votes manually, declare results, and complete Form EC8A.
3. Form EC8A remains the primary legal document. It is the official polling unit result recognized under Nigerian law.
4. IREV does not collate results. It provides public access to scanned copies of polling unit results.
5. Manipulation historically occurs at collation centres. Ward and Local Government collation centres have often been flashpoints for disputes.
By mandating electronic transmission of polling unit results to IREV, the National Assembly has — according to Dickson — addressed the most vulnerable stage of election tampering.
With polling unit results publicly accessible online, political parties and candidates can independently tabulate results and identify discrepancies early. This significantly reduces opportunities for what he described as brigandage, executive interference, and thuggery during collation.
The Network Failure Proviso: A Necessary Safeguard or Dangerous Loophole?
Dickson openly disagreed with the Senate’s proviso regarding network failure. In his view, laws are meant to establish general rules — not exceptions.
He argued that INEC had assured lawmakers of its nationwide transmission capacity. According to INEC officials in past briefings, wherever citizens can make phone calls or conduct electronic financial transactions, electronic result upload should be feasible.
However, the proviso recognizes the possibility of rare network disruptions in certain locations.
Dickson cautioned that exceptions must not become the rule.
He stressed that Presiding Officers cannot arbitrarily decide not to upload results. INEC guidelines would mandate compliance, and officials who disobey the law risk penalties.
Ultimately, he maintained that while imperfect, the law still preserves the core objective of real-time transparency.
Democracy and the Numbers Game
One of Dickson’s most striking admissions was the political arithmetic reality within the Senate. The opposition does not currently command majority numbers strong enough to insist on its preferred committee report version.
This candid acknowledgment highlights the broader political dynamics influencing Nigeria’s legislative process.
Despite this, Dickson insists that what was achieved is not insignificant.
The mandatory transmission of polling unit results to IREV remains intact. Nigerians can still access results in real time after declaration at polling units. This transparency tool remains a powerful democratic safeguard.
A Call to Mobilise, Sensitise, and Vote
Senator Dickson ended his remarks with a direct call to action.
He urged Nigerians not to disengage from the democratic process. Instead, he encouraged citizens to:
Sensitise their communities.
Mobilise to polling units.
Vote for credible candidates.
Insist on the transmission of results to IREV.
Protect their votes through vigilance.
He emphasized that democratic progress does not occur overnight. It requires sustained engagement, participation, and pressure from citizens.
Even if the Senate version of the Electoral Act stands, he believes the framework now exists for improved transparency — provided Nigerians actively defend it.
The Bigger Picture: Electoral Reform in Nigeria
Nigeria’s electoral reform journey has been incremental. From the introduction of biometric voter registration to Smart Card Readers, BVAS, and IREV, each cycle has introduced new safeguards.
Challenges remain — logistical issues, legal disputes, network reliability, and political interference — but technological reforms have undeniably improved transparency compared to earlier eras.
The debate over electronic transmission reflects deeper concerns about trust in institutions, the credibility of election outcomes, and the future of democratic consolidation in Africa’s largest democracy.
Final Thoughts: Incremental Progress in a Fragile Democracy
Senator Seriake Dickson’s position is clear: while the Senate’s decision was not ideal, it was not a democratic collapse.
It was, in his assessment, incremental progress achieved within political constraints.
His message to Nigerians is both sobering and hopeful: democracy is not perfected in a single legislative session. It evolves through negotiation, pressure, participation, and sustained civic engagement.
As Nigeria prepares for future electoral cycles, one truth remains constant — transparency mechanisms like IREV, electronic transmission, and vigilant citizen participation will continue to shape the credibility of elections.
The responsibility now lies not only with lawmakers and INEC but also with the Nigerian electorate.
Sensitise. Mobilise. Participate. Protect the vote.
Democracy moves forward — step by step.
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