INEC Assured  Of Its Capacity To Electronically Transmit Election Results Nationwide – Senator Dickson

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

The Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District  and former Governor of the State, Senator Seriake Dickson, has disputed claims suggesting that the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC lacks the capacity to electronically  transmit election results real-time .

The Source reports that  Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, alongside some Senators had amidst the  disenchantment and popular outrage that trailed the red chamber’s decision to jettisoned the mandatory electronic transmission of election results clause, cited lack of  adequate internet facilities in many parts  of the country as major reason for their action.

But in a post on his Facebook account, the former Bayelsa Governor informed that the INEC, during its consultative meetings with  the Lawmakers assured that it has the capabilities to transmit election results live from the polling units across the country.

Senator Dickson, therefore, expressed shock and disappointment that the Senate could decline to validate the mandatory electronic transmission of election results clause, hiding under the guise of lack of internet facilities.

According to him, the situation is more troubling going by the fact that Senators had spent over two years consulting and working on the draft bill.

He, however, lauded the House of Representatives for their sincerity of purpose and commitment towards ensuring the seamless passage of the Mandatory electronic transmission clause.

“Today, I gave an interview at Arise Television. In the interview, I explained how, as a member of the Electoral Committee, I felt deeply disappointed when, while I was in Bayelsa mourning the demise of my brother, the late Deputy Governor, I heard that the Senate refused to pass the clause on mandatory electronic transmission of election results from polling stations.

“This was what we had been working on for the past two years, and the House of Representatives passed exactly what we agreed on.

“I thank the Speaker of the House,Tajudeen Abbas, the Chairman of the House Committee, and other members of the House for doing the right thing.

“Let me be clear: INEC had told us that they have the capacity to transmit election results nationwide ,and we believe them. However, in Parliament, you don’t get all you want at the time you want.

“The parliamentary system involves lobbying, negotiations, consensus-building and making incremental progress. What happened today was not a loss to democracy, it was incremental progress”, Senator Dickson wrote.

He noted that what was finally passed by the Senate  fell short of what was actually agreed upon by the Committee ,, 

According  to him  the rejection of real-time electronic transmission, as well as the inclusion of a proviso validating results manually in areas negatively affected by network failure represent a blight on what was originally agreed by the law makers.

He, however, expressed the confidence that what is on the ground at the moment can guarantee a semblance of credible election, urging vigilance on the part of the people.

“The introduction of IREV and the National Assembly’s passage of mandatory electronic transmission of polling unit results to IREV ,has addressed the problem of manipulation at collation centres.

“Candidates and parties who do well at polling stations, which are the primary evidence of elections, can collate results and know who has won, thereby cutting off the brigandage, executive interference and thuggery that mar our elections at collation centres.

“I encourage Nigerians, therefore, to take interest in mobilising to their polling units and voting for credible people who can protect the democratic rights of our people.

“INEC has said it can transmit election results nationwide and we believe them. Anywhere someone can make calls, send or receive money electronically, INEC can also upload and transmit election results electronically”, Senator Dickson stated .