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Seriake Dickson, senator representing Bayelsa west, has implored Nigerians to ensure that their votes are counted during elections.
In a statement on Tuesday, the former Bayelsa governor and member of the electoral committee in the red chamber, noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the capacity to transmit and upload results electronically on a national scale.
“INEC has told us it can transmit election results nationwide, and we believe them. Nigerians must insist that their votes are transmitted and counted transparently,” Dickson said.
“Anywhere someone can make calls, send or receive money electronically, INEC can also upload and transmit election results electronically. This is not a decision Presiding Officers can make arbitrarily.”
Dickson called on citizens to sensitise others, mobilise to polling stations, and vote for credible candidates who can protect their democratic rights.
He noted that while Nigeria does not practise electronic voting, results declared at polling stations can be transmitted immediately to IReV, reducing manipulation at collation centres.
The senator noted that the recent passage of the Electoral Act amendment by the national assembly, which mandates electronic transmission of polling unit results, is a step forward, even if it includes a proviso for rare network failures.
“As it stands, in addition to the law, INEC will issue guidelines mandating Presiding Officers, after voting and signing of results, to make copies and transmit them electronically to IREV,” he added.
“If we achieve that, it amounts to real-time monitoring of results from polling stations upwards. Where results are changed and democracy faces its greatest assault is at the collation centres — the Ward Collation Centres and the Local Government Collation Centres.”
He urged citizens not to relent in safeguarding the integrity of elections, saying active participation and vigilance are key to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
His comments come after the senate retained the framework for electronic transmission, but rejected a proposal to make real-time uploads mandatory, in the event of poor internet connectivity in certain areas.
