Residents of Ekiti State trooped out in large numbers on Saturday to participate in the off-cycle governorship election, as voting commenced across the state’s three senatorial districts under tight security and with smooth deployment of electoral officials.
Reports from various polling units indicated that accreditation and voting began early in several parts of the state, with the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) ensuring a seamless process.
Electoral officials also gave priority to persons with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, and nursing mothers.
In Ilawe Ekiti, located in Ekiti South Senatorial District, voting commenced at about 8:40 a.m. at Polling Unit 12, Onile Owo/Sajowa Compound, Primary Health Centre, Ward Five.
The accreditation and voting process was described as swift and orderly, taking less than two minutes per voter, while security personnel maintained law and order throughout the exercise.
Across other communities including Iworoko, Are, and Afao Ekiti, presiding officers, security operatives, and party agents were present at polling units as voters queued patiently to exercise their civic responsibility.
In Orun and Igbemo Ekiti, voting also commenced at exactly 8:30 a.m., especially at Odofin polling units, where the functionality of the BVAS machines was confirmed.
Speaking after monitoring the exercise, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Chief Taiwo Olatunbosun, expressed satisfaction with the voting process, noting that the BVAS machines accredited voters in under 60 seconds.
He described the process as efficient and encouraging.
Fourteen political parties are participating in the election, with 1,029,929 voters who have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) expected to cast their ballots across 177 wards and 2,445 polling units statewide.
Meanwhile, attention is also focused on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Ado Ekiti, where election results from across the state will be received and collated.
The INEC premises remains under heavy security, with armed operatives stationed at strategic points to maintain law and order.
People and vehicles entering or leaving the facility are undergoing thorough security checks as part of measures to ensure a safe and credible collation process.
Journalists from various media organisations are also on ground to monitor and report developments as events unfold.
Speaking earlier after monitoring the election process, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise.
He stated that all procedures were progressing smoothly and assured residents that the commission had put all necessary measures in place to ensure a peaceful, credible, and hitch-free election.
