THE Ekiti State governorship election, Saturday, remained largely peaceful across most polling units across the state. However, there were reports of malfunctioning Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, attempts by party agents to influence voters and other hiccups. 

Observers deployed across local government areas reported that in Ise/Orun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, accreditation was delayed at Polling Unit 001 after the BVAS malfunctioned, leaving voters, including elderly and priority voters, stranded for hours.

At another polling unit in the same LGA, electoral officials struggled with poor network connectivity, forcing them to rely on a power bank while voters waited for accreditation to commence.

Similarly, in Ado Local Government Area, voting was halted at a polling unit in Irona Ward after the BVAS reportedly stopped working, leaving accreditation stuck at 12 voters despite a queue of waiting electorates.

In Ido/Osi Local Government Area, several voters complained that although they possessed valid Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), their names could not be found on the BVAS register, preventing them from being accredited and voting.

A similar accreditation challenge was reported at a polling unit in Ward 7, where a woman repeatedly failed accreditation despite several attempts by election officials. Witnesses said someone at the polling unit suggested she be given N5,000 as compensation for being unable to vote, a proposal she rejected while expressing frustration over her inability to exercise her franchise.

At Ejigbo Farm 2 Polling Unit in Oye Local Government Area, polling officials reportedly complained that the indelible ink marker being used could easily be wiped off. Observers reported that a man who had already voted allegedly returned and attempted to vote a second time, triggering complaints from officials and voters at the polling unit.

Across several polling units, observers also reported party agents attempting to accompany voters into ballot booths or remaining within restricted areas despite electoral guidelines.

In Ise/Orun, party agents were seen lingering around ballot booths and following elderly voters into the voting area, resulting in a disagreement with security personnel. At another polling unit in the same LGA, a party agent was reportedly found inside the voting cubicle with a voter.

Meanwhile, election officials in Ijero, Ilejemeje, Ekiti West and parts of Ado reported low voter turnout, with many polling units recording only a handful of voters by late morning despite the peaceful atmosphere.

Accreditation and voting have commenced in polling units across Ekiti State in the ongoing governorship election, with reports from multiple local government areas indicating a largely peaceful process.

As of about 9:30 a.m, The ICIR observers deployed across the state reported that polling units across several local government areas, including Ado, Ikere, Emure, Ijero, Moba, Ekiti East, Irepodun/Ifelodun, and Ilejemeje had begun accreditation and voting.

INEC officials were observed using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), while security personnel were deployed to maintain order. Observers reported that election officials arrived on time in several polling units. 

There was, however, concern at St. Andrew’s Primary School, Emure, where observers noticed that some voters were being called aside shortly after voting. The reason for the interactions could not be independently verified.

In Ilejemeje Local Government Area, voting commenced smoothly at Polling Unit 09 in Ilepe, while in Moba LGA, accreditation and voting were underway at SDA Primary School, Amututu II, with police officers, election observers and party agents on the ground. However, an election official reportedly prevented an accredited observer from taking photographs at one of the polling units.

At Veterinary Hall, Ikere LGA, an early disturbance erupted after a councillor allegedly displayed his marked ballot paper after voting, triggering an uproar among voters. The situation was later brought under control, and voting continued.

Meanwhile, at St. Andrew’s Primary School in Emure LGA, voting progressed peacefully under the watch of security personnel. However, observers reported that some voters were being called aside after casting their ballots, although the reason for the practice was not immediately clear.

In Ekiti East LGA, party agents and voters disagreed with the Presiding Officer over whether voters who required assistance could be accompanied by a person of their choice while casting their ballots.

At polling units in Ado-Ekiti, voting remained peaceful in most locations; however, tension briefly flared at one polling unit in Okeyinmi Ward after some voters accused others of jumping the queue, prompting security personnel to intervene before the situation escalated.

Observers in Ijero LGA reported that elderly voters were given priority at some polling units, with chairs provided to ease the voting process, while in Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA, election officials commenced voting around 8:30 a.m. at several polling units after voter sensitisation in both Pidgin English and Yoruba.

Reports indicated a generally orderly process, though voter turnout at Okeagbe Farm Polling Unit was described as low as of 9:00 a.m.

At one polling unit in Awo community, a party agent was seen assisting elderly voters in placing ballot papers into the ballot box, an action that may raise concerns about compliance with voting procedures if not done strictly at the request of voters requiring assistance.

IN accordance with INEC regulations, voting shall continue until all eligible voters who are already in the queue at the official closing time have been duly accredited and allowed to cast their ballots.

More updates are expected as voting progresses across the state.