Voting has commenced across several polling units in the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State in a calm and orderly atmosphere.
At Polling Unit 003 in Ikogosi-Ekiti, voting materials arrived early, with voters turning out in large numbers and forming orderly queues to participate in the governorship election. Governor Abayomi Oyebanji, who is seeking re-election for a second term, is expected to cast his vote at the polling unit.
Before the commencement of voting, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Odeyemi Tobi, briefed voters on the electoral process.
He explained that priority would be given to elderly persons, pregnant women and persons living with disabilities. Assisted voting, he said, would be provided where necessary in accordance with electoral guidelines.
Tobi further informed voters that the exercise would commence at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m., warning that anyone arriving after the stipulated time would not be allowed to join the queue. He also reiterated that possession of a Permanent Voter Card (PVC) is a prerequisite for voting, stressing that “no PVC, no voting”.
To assure voters of the transparency of the process, the empty ballot box was displayed before voting commenced. Elderly women were among the first voters accredited and allowed to cast their ballots.
Security personnel were deployed to the polling unit to maintain law and order as voters patiently awaited accreditation and voting.
Also on ground were officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who were monitoring the exercise and keeping watch for any incidents of vote-buying or other electoral offences.
Voting officially commenced at exactly 8:32 a.m., with the process proceeding peacefully and without any immediate incidents.
