Voting has officially ended in numerous polling units across Ekiti State, with the sorting and counting of ballots now underway in the governorship election.
Residents turned out in impressive numbers on Saturday to exercise their civic duty, casting votes for their preferred candidates in the poll organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the state’s 16 local government areas.
Many voters arrived at polling stations as early as 7:00 a.m., though voting generally commenced around 8:30 a.m. in most locations. Security operatives were deployed to maintain order, while accredited election observers monitored proceedings across the state.
Major contenders in the election were also seen casting their ballots and sharing their views on the conduct of the exercise.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dare Bejide, voted at the Oke Adura Polling Unit in Ekiti South West Local Government Area. While commending the high voter turnout, he alleged that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) engaged in vote-buying at his polling unit.
According to Bejide, APC members were distributing money to voters, an allegation he said he reported to security personnel.
However, the APC candidate and incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, dismissed the allegation after casting his vote at Polling Unit 003, Okelele, Ikogosi-Ekiti, in Ekiti West Local Government Area.
Speaking to journalists, Oyebanji said anyone making such allegations should provide evidence to substantiate their claims. The governor, who voted alongside his wife, Olayemi, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election and urged eligible voters who had yet to vote to do so peacefully.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Wole Oluyede, also cast his vote at Ugele/Arokun Ward in Ikere Local Government Area.
Oluyede, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the election, alleging that many voters at his polling unit were unable to vote due to challenges with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
He also alleged voter harassment and intimidation in the ward but maintained confidence that he would emerge victorious in the election.
Despite the complaints raised by some of the candidates, no major security incident had been reported as of the time of filing this report, with sorting and counting ongoing in many polling units.
A total of 1.02 million registered voters are expected to participate in the election across 2,445 polling units. Oyebanji is seeking re-election against candidates from 13 other political parties.
Other contestants in the election include Akande Oluwasegun Samuel (AAC), Opeyemi Falegan (Accord), Ayodeji Ojo (ADP), Bidemi Olaiya Awogbemi (APP), Oyebanji Ikusayedegbe Olajuyin (Labour Party), Abegunde Ayobami Blessing (NNPP), Olaniyi Olanrewaju Ayodele (PRP), Owoola Daramola (YPP), and Victor Damilola Adetunji (ZLP).
