By NAOMI SHARANG

The Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Sen. Seriake Dickson, has urged the Conference Committee working on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 to back the House of Representatives’ version in its entirety.

Dickson, a member of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to him, the house of representatives version reflects what the joint committees, consultants and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) agreed upon.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the senate had on Tuesday rescinded its earlier decision on the Electoral Act amendment.

It had rejected the mandatory electronic transmission of election results from polling units to INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) after vote counting.

The upper chamber consequently re-amended the Electoral Act to accommodate the electronic transmission of results.

However, the provision comes with a caveat, that in the event of internet failure, Form EC8A will serve as the primary means of result collation.

Speaking with newsmen, Dickson, a former Gov. of Bayelsa, said “My message to Nigerians is clear.

“I call on members of the Conference Committee to adopt the House’s version in its entirety. That version reflects what the joint committees, consultants and INEC agreed upon.

“INEC assured us at the committee level of its capacity to transmit results electronically. If the law makes it compulsory, then it is INEC’s duty to acquire and deploy the necessary technology across the country”.

Continuing, he said: “For almost two years, as a member of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, we worked extensively on amendments to the electoral laws.

“We held workshops and joint sessions with the House of Representatives; held meetings with INEC, the technical committee, consultants and other stakeholders as well as public hearings in Abuja and Lagos.

“We all agreed—crucially with INEC—on a framework that would regulate the conduct of elections in this country, moving forward”.

Dickson, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, said that the issue of electronic transmission had become central to electoral integrity because manipulation often occurs at collation centres, not just at polling units.

“Once results are transmitted immediately after polling, it becomes difficult to alter them.

“Even though the senate version uses the word ‘shall’, the concern remains that the proviso could be abused. Exceptions should never become the norm,” he said.

The senator called on Nigerians not to give up on democracy, saying that the fight for free, fair and credible elections was ongoing and that the prize for liberty was eternal vigilance.

“Citizens must continue to mobilise, sensitise and participate fully in elections. Go to your polling stations, cast your votes and insist that presiding officers comply with the law by transmitting results electronically.

“I also urge INEC, through its guidelines and manuals, to ensure that electronic transmission remains the general rule, and not a cover for subverting the democratic wishes of the Nigerian people.

“I commend Nigerians for their vigilance and I urge resilience. Just because institutions are not perfect does not mean we should abandon the democratic struggle,” the lawmaker said.

NAN reports that the reconstituted Conference Committee of the Senate has 12 members, with Sen. Simon Lalong as Chairman.

Other members of the committee are: Senators Adamu Aliero, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, Orji Kalu, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Aminu Abbas, Tokunbo Abiru, Mohammed Monguno, Isah Jibrin, Banigo Ipalibo and Onyekachi Nwaenbonyi.

The committee is expected to conclude its assignment within the month to allow for the transmission of a harmonised bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent. (NAN)