Voting has ended in many polling units across Ekiti State as sorting and counting of ballots commence in the governorship election.
Residents turned out in large numbers on Saturday to cast their votes for their preferred candidates in the poll conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the state’s 16 local government areas.
Many voters arrived at their polling units as early as 7:00 a.m., although voting did not commence until about 8:30 a.m. in most locations.
Security personnel were deployed to various polling units to maintain law and order, while election observers monitored the process across the state.
The major contenders in the election were also seen casting their votes and commenting on the conduct of the poll.
The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dare Bejide, voted at the Oke Adura Polling Unit in Ekiti South West Local Government Area. He commended the voter turnout but alleged that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were engaging 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).
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