Voting activities experienced a slow start at several polling units in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday as many voters waited for the arrival of electoral officials and party representatives before the commencement of accreditation and voting.
Under electoral guidelines, voter accreditation and balloting were expected to begin by 8:30 a.m., but as of 9:00 a.m., polling activities had yet to commence in some parts of the state capital.
At Oke Ila, covering Ward 7 Polling Units 2, 3 and 4, prospective voters were seen gathered at designated centres awaiting the arrival of election personnel and party agents.
A similar situation was observed at Oke-Iyinmi in Ward 6, where residents assembled at Polling Units 4, 5, 6 and 7 but were unable to begin the voting process due to the absence of officials.
In Dalimore, Ward 8 Polling Units 2, 3, 4 and 5 also recorded large numbers of waiting voters as election materials and personnel were yet to arrive.
Despite the delay, security operatives from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps maintained order around the affected polling centres.
However, the situation differed in Ikogosi-Ekiti, located in Ekiti West Local Government Area, where electoral activities commenced early and voter turnout was encouraging.
At Polling Unit 003, Ward 6, accreditation and voting began shortly after 8:00 a.m., with election officials arriving on schedule alongside sensitive and non-sensitive materials.
Party agents representing various political parties, as well as accredited observers, were present to monitor the process.
Security personnel drawn from the police, NSCDC and other paramilitary agencies were deployed across polling centres and strategic locations in the area from as early as 7:00 a.m.
The operatives maintained visibility around polling units while restrictions on vehicular movement remained in force in line with election security measures.
Observers noted a peaceful atmosphere throughout the exercise, with voters conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
Several residents commended the prompt deployment of election officials and the smooth commencement of voting, expressing confidence in the credibility of the process.
Elderly voters and persons living with disabilities were also seen participating in the exercise at various polling stations.
Overall, polling units in Ikogosi-Ekiti witnessed an organised and timely start to the governorship election, with voting commencing as scheduled and electoral materials arriving without delay.