Sen. Seriake Dickson advocates major electoral reforms to bolster transparency in Nigeria
The Senator representing Bayelsa West in the National Assembly, Seriake Dickson, has called for comprehensive reforms of Nigeria’s electoral system to enhance transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the conduct of elections.
The former Bayelsa State Governor and current member of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, in an interview with Arise News on Thursday, emphasised that one of the critical proposals under consideration in the ongoing Electoral Act amendment is a shift in the burden of proof in election disputes from candidates and political parties to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The burden of proof in electoral matters must rest with INEC. That is where it rightly and properly belongs,” Senator Dickson said.
“It is unreasonable to expect candidates or parties to prove irregularities they are unaware of.
”INEC organises and oversees elections, appoints officials over whom candidates have no control, manipulates figures, cancels elections, and yet provides no adequate explanations. Accountability must start with the electoral body itself, ” he added.
Senator Dickson, who chaired the joint retreat of the National Assembly’s Committee on Electoral Matters held in Lagos, explained that lawmakers from both chambers spent the day reviewing and debating proposals aimed at restoring credibility to Nigeria’s elections.
According to him, “We have been in Lagos deliberating, sometimes agreeing, sometimes disagreeing, but always in the national interest.
“Over 50 members of the National Assembly, including senators and representatives, attended”, he added.
Senator Dickson further said, ”The discussions were robust and engaging, and what is most encouraging is the absence of party divisions.
”Across party lines, there is a shared commitment to strengthen INEC, political parties, and the overall electoral process, ” he also added.
Highlighting the broader objective of the reforms, Senator Dickson said the aim is to ensure that elections no longer “belittle the country” through violence, manipulation, or the distortion of the voters’ will.
“Elections should be moments for national reflection and celebration of our democratic ideals, not periods marked by killings, maiming, or fabricated results designed to circumvent the electorate,” he said.
Dickson also explained that the committee was exploring measures to reorganise the legal framework governing elections, improve oversight mechanisms, and ensure that INEC receives adequate funding to conduct free, fair, and credible elections.
“We cannot claim to uphold democracy if we are not committed to creating conditions for genuinely free and fair elections,” he said.
Addressing the topic of political defections, which have been prevalent in Bayelsa State and other parts of the country, Senator Dickson clarified that he does not support cross-party moves, stressing that such actions erode public trust in governance.
“I have made my position clear, I do not support defections. We may need to revisit laws and constitutional provisions to outline consequences for such actions, while reinforcing the importance of values and principles.
”Public service must be about serving the people, not oneself,” he said.
While cautioning that the ongoing discussions at the committee level do not yet reflect the National Assembly’s final stance, Dickson assured Nigerians that the outcome would be “a comprehensive and far-reaching reform package” designed to strengthen the country’s democratic institutions.
“It’s a substantial undertaking. By the time we conclude our work and it reaches plenary, Nigerians will be able to see the depth and scope of the reforms we are pursuing, ” he said.
