By SUNTV Global Channel | February 18, 2026
Senator Seriake Dickson has accused the Senate majority of being “bent on undermining electoral transparency” following the passage of a contentious proviso in the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026.
Dickson, a former Bayelsa State governor, revealed that he voted against the inclusion of the clause during Tuesday’s plenary, arguing that it could dilute the mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units nationwide.
“Yesterday, at the Senate plenary, I voted NO to the proviso that has the capacity of whittling down the mandatory electronic transmission of election results from the polling units in Form EC8A,” Dickson said. “This proviso adds nothing to the law but can be misused or misunderstood to undermine electoral integrity and transparency.”
Dickson stressed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) already possesses the technical capacity to electronically transmit results from over 90% of polling units, and any rare transmission failures—estimated at less than 7%—should be handled through detailed regulations rather than legislative changes.
“Once we make electronic transmission mandatory, it is INEC’s duty to stipulate strict conditions for cases where presiding officers may be unable to transmit results due to communication challenges,” he said.
Despite his opposition, Dickson acknowledged that the Senate majority carried the day, asserting that while the majority will prevail in a democracy, it should act for the national good. He also called on INEC and the judiciary to safeguard electoral integrity and urged citizens to stay vigilant in supporting democratic norms.
Tuesday’s plenary session was marked by heated debate over Clause 60, which addresses electronic vote transmission. A dramatic confrontation unfolded when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe demanded a formal division on the clause, exposing deep divisions among lawmakers.
Following the Senate’s approval, President Bola Tinubu signed the electoral bill into law on Wednesday, officially enacting the revised electoral framework.
