Dickson urges adoption of full electronic transmission in electoral bill
Seriake Dickson, the lawmaker representing Bayelsa West, has called on the Senate-House conference committee to fully adopt the House version of the Electoral Amendment Bill. He warned that weakening the electronic transmission provision could undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s elections. Dickson emphasized that extensive work had been done with stakeholders, including INEC, to strengthen the electoral process. He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and participate actively in the democratic process.
What we know
- Seriake Dickson stressed that the House version of the bill reflects the consensus reached with INEC and stakeholders.
- He expressed concern that the Senate’s proviso for manual collation where electronic transmission fails could be abused.
- Dickson noted that manipulation often occurs at collation centres and that electronic transmission would help prevent this.
- He called on the conference committee to adopt the House version in full and urged INEC to ensure nationwide deployment of the necessary technology.
- The Senate expanded the conference committee to harmonise differences, with the final bill set to be sent to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
