Removal Of “Real Time” From Electoral Bill Misunderstood — Senator
A member of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Seriake Dickson, has said the removal of the words “real time” from the Electoral Act Amendment Bill does not weaken the provision for electronic transmission of results or undermine electoral transparency, insisting that electronic transmission to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IREV) remains mandatory.
Dickson spoke on Tuesday during an interview with ARISE News, where he said the Senate’s latest decision still preserves the requirement for results to be transmitted electronically from polling units.
“I don’t count the proceedings of today and the outcome as a loss for democracy,” he said.
The Senate had reviewed Clause 60(3) of the bill after public backlash and restored electronic transmission of results, while retaining a proviso allowing manual collation in cases of network failure.
Critics have argued that removing the explicit requirement for “real-time” transmission could create room for manipulation.
Dickson, however, maintained that the central goal of protecting the IREV system had been achieved, adding that he was speaking in his personal capacity.
“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.
He explained that deliberations on electronic transmission had lasted nearly two years and involved engagements with INEC and other stakeholders.
“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 said.
Dickson also disclosed that he was absent when the Senate initially rejected compulsory electronic transmission due to a personal loss.
“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 Senate’s earlier decision as unfortunate, particularly after INEC had assured lawmakers of its capacity to transmit results electronically.
On the controversy surrounding the phrase “real time,” Dickson argued that the term was being misunderstood.
“What is the meaning of real time? We are not voting electronically in Nigeria,” he said, adding that “the word ‘real time’ in this context is actually superfluous. It doesn’t on its own give you a transparent election.”
According to him, transparency depends on securing polling unit results.
“The primary evidence of who won an election is the EC8A… INEC compels presiding officers to transmit the result to IREV. That is good enough for us,” he said.
Although he expressed reservations about the network-failure proviso, Dickson said parliamentary compromise was unavoidable.
“I don’t agree with the proviso that has been included, but parliament works on the basis of majority,” he said.
He stressed that the law still mandates electronic transmission, noting that the general rule requires every presiding officer to transmit results electronically.
Dickson added that electoral reforms must be gradual.
“You make gains incrementally… We have made electronic transfer mandatory, and that is progress,” he said.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
