Former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has said that the real‑time electronic transmission of election results, as part of the ongoing Electoral Act amendment debate, does not in itself guarantee transparent elections, Dickson said on Thursday in Abuja.

Dickson spoke against the backdrop of public debate over the proposed changes to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026. One of the most discussed aspects of the bill is how election results should be transmitted and made available to the public, including calls for real‑time electronic uploads.

The current Electoral Act (as amended in 2022) includes provisions for electronic result transmission, and the amendment process has prompted discussions among lawmakers, political parties and civil society about its scope and wording.

Dickson addressed the media in Abuja during a public discussion on the Electoral Act amendment.

He referred to ongoing national conversation about the adoption and use of technology in elections, including the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and results upload mechanisms.

He said that while technological tools such as real‑time electronic transmission are important, they should not be viewed as a sole solution to transparency in elections, noting that other elements of the electoral process also play significant roles.

Dickson said: “For me, real‑time transmission in itself does not guarantee a transparent election.”

Dickson’s statement contributes to the national debate on electoral reforms as stakeholders weigh the role of technology in Nigeria’s elections.

The discussion over provisions related to real‑time result transmission in the Electoral Act amendment highlights ongoing considerations about how best to enhance credibility and public confidence in election outcomes ahead of the 2027 general elections.