Voting activities in parts of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, experienced delays on Saturday as voters waited for officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and party agents to arrive at several polling units.
The Electoral Act stipulates that accreditation and voting should commence by 8:30 a.m., but as of 9:00 a.m., electoral officials had yet to arrive at some polling centres visited across the metropolis.
At Ward 7, Polling Units 2, 3 and 4 in Oke Ila, voters were seen gathered and waiting for INEC personnel and party representatives before the commencement of the exercise.
A similar situation was observed at Ward 6, Polling Units 4, 5, 6 and 7 in Oke-Iyinmi, where residents turned out early but remained unable to vote due to the absence of election officials.
At Ward 8, Polling Units 2, 3, 4 and 5 in the Dalimore area, a large number of voters were also waiting for the arrival of INEC officials and election materials.
Despite the delays, security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps were present at the affected polling units to maintain order and ensure compliance with electoral guidelines.
However, the situation was markedly different in Ikogosi-Ekiti, located in Ekiti West Local Government Area, where electoral activities commenced early and voter turnout was described as encouraging.
At Polling Unit 003, Ward 6, Ikogosi-Ekiti, accreditation and voting began as early as 8:10 a.m., with electoral officials arriving on schedule alongside sensitive and non-sensitive election materials.
Party agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other participating political parties were present to monitor the exercise, while accredited observers were also seen overseeing proceedings.
Security agencies, including the police, NSCDC and other paramilitary organisations, were deployed to polling units and strategic locations across the local government area from about 7:00 a.m. to ensure a peaceful exercise.
Operatives were stationed around polling centres and major intersections, while vehicular movement remained largely restricted in line with election security arrangements.
Observers reported a calm atmosphere across polling units in Ikogosi-Ekiti, with voters conducting themselves peacefully as accreditation and voting progressed.
Some voters commended the timely arrival of INEC officials and the orderly conduct of the process, expressing confidence that the election would be free, fair and credible.
The exercise also witnessed the participation of elderly voters and persons living with disabilities, who were seen at various polling stations to cast their ballots.
At Okelele Ward 6, Polling Unit 003 in Ikogosi-Ekiti, voting reportedly commenced exactly at 8:00 a.m., reflecting a high level of preparedness compared to some areas in the state capital.
The election is being closely monitored by security agencies, election observers and political stakeholders as residents across the state participate in the process of electing their next governor.
