The local government elections held in Ondo State on Saturday were characterized by low voter turnout and logistical challenges.
Despite the elections being scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m., many polling units did not commence voting until 10:00 a.m.
In several polling centers, including those in Ilutitun, Ode-Aye, Okitipupa, Ikoya, and Igbodigo in Okitipupa Local Government Area, there were no voters present as of 10:15 a.m. In some cases, officials of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) were seen waiting idly for voters who failed to show up.
However, some polling units reported a peaceful atmosphere, with a few voters waiting for accreditation and voting to commence.
The Presiding Officer in Unit 4, Ward 9, Oba-Ile, Akure North Local Government, Mr. Bayo Akoledowo, noted that the election started at 8:30 a.m. and had a “relatively good” turnout.
In contrast, other units, such as Unit 7 and Unit 27, Ward 4, Akure, in Akure South Local Government, reported a scanty number of voters, with voting commencing at 9:35 a.m.
The Presiding Officer at Unit 22, Ward 4, Akure South Local Government Area, attributed the delay in voting to the late arrival of voting materials.
Despite the challenges, some candidates expressed optimism about the outcome of the elections. Mr. Adesoye Fagoroyo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Councillorship Candidate in Oba-Ile, Ward 9, noted that the election was peaceful, with a “large turnout.”
