Senator Seriake Dickson, a member of the Senate Committee on Electoral Issues, has stated the removing of the phrases “actual time” from the Electoral Act Modification Invoice doesn’t weaken the supply for digital transmission of outcomes or undermine electoral transparency.
Talking on Tuesday in an interview with ARISE Information, Dickson stated the Senate’s newest resolution nonetheless makes electronic transmission of results from polling items to the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee’s (INEC) Consequence Viewing Portal (IREV) necessary.
“I don’t rely the proceedings of as we speak and the end result as a loss for democracy,” he stated.
The Senate had reviewed Clause 60(3) of the invoice after public backlash and restored digital transmission of outcomes, whereas retaining a proviso that permits guide collation the place community failure happens. Critics argue that eradicating the express requirement for “real-time” transmission leaves room for manipulation.
Dickson, nonetheless, insisted that the core goal of defending IREV had been achieved. He clarified that he was talking in his private capability.
“I’m not right here as spokesman of the Senate. I’m right here to offer my views as somebody who has been deeply concerned in all these processes as a rating member of this committee and as somebody who participated within the proceedings of as we speak,” he stated.
He defined that discussions on digital transmission had lasted practically two years, involving engagements with INEC and different stakeholders.
“This has been happening for about two years or so — completely different workshops, conferences on the Senate Committee, joint committees and in addition interactions with INEC,” he stated.
Dickson disclosed that he was absent when the Senate initially rejected obligatory digital transmission due to a private loss.
“I used to be not there when the Senate took that call earlier, a few week in the past, as I used to be bereaved… At this time was the very first day I went to take a seat within the Senate due to the significance of this matter,” he stated.
He described the Senate’s earlier resolution as “unlucky”, particularly after INEC had assured lawmakers of its capability to transmit outcomes electronically.
On the controversy surrounding the phrase “actual time”, Dickson argued that the time period was being misunderstood.
“What’s the which means of actual time? We’re not voting electronically in Nigeria,” he stated, including that “the phrase ‘actual time’ on this context is definitely superfluous. It doesn’t by itself provide you with a clear election.”
In response to him, transparency lies in securing polling unit outcomes.
“The first proof of who received an election is the EC8A… INEC compels presiding officers to transmit the end result to IREV. That’s adequate for us,” he stated.
Though he expressed reservations concerning the network-failure proviso, Dickson stated parliamentary compromise was unavoidable.
“I don’t agree with the proviso that has been included, however parliament works on the idea of majority,” he stated.
He harassed that the legislation nonetheless mandates digital transmission, noting that “the overall rule is that each presiding officer shall transmit the end result electronically. That’s necessary.”
Dickson concluded that electoral reforms have to be gradual.
“You make good points incrementally… We have now made digital switch necessary, and that’s progress,” he stated.
The submit Electoral Act: ‘Real time’ doesn’t guarantee transparent election — Seriake Dickson appeared first on Vanguard News.
