Ondo Local Government Election: Delays, Low Voter Turnout, But Peaceful Voting Atmosphere

The local government elections in Ondo State on Saturday were marked by logistical delays and low voter turnout across various polling units.

According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the election, scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., did not begin at many polling centres until around 10:00 a.m. There were also reports of minimal voter presence at polling units in areas such as Ilutitun, Ode-Aye, Okitipupa, Ikoya, and Igbodigo in Okitipupa Local Government Area. In these regions, no voters were seen at polling units as late as 10:15 a.m.

At several locations, officials from the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) were observed sitting idle, waiting for voters who had yet to arrive. In Units 001, 002, 010, and 012 in Okitipupa Ward 1, as well as Units 001, 012, and 013 in Okitipupa Ward 13, ODIEC’s ad hoc staff had not arrived by 10:05 a.m.

Polling units in Oba-Ile, Akure North Local Government, and Ilara, Ifedore Local Government, also experienced low attendance by 10:00 a.m.

Despite the delays, the mood remained largely peaceful. In some areas, a few voters patiently awaited the arrival of election officials for the accreditation and voting process. For example, in Unit 4, Ward 9, Oba-Ile, Akure North Local Government, the Presiding Officer, Mr. Bayo Akoledowo, reported that voting started around 8:30 a.m. with a “relatively good” turnout. Voter Chief Michael Aladesaye praised the election for its peaceful conduct.

At Unit 9, Ward 9, Oba-Ile, one of the voters, Mr. Martins Fagoroyo, described the turnout as “impressive” and expected that more voters would come as the day progressed.

Meanwhile, in Unit 7, Ward 9, Oba-Ile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Councillorship candidate, Mr. Adesoye Fagoroyo, expressed confidence in a high turnout, given that he was the only contestant in the ward.

The late arrival of voting materials caused a delay in the commencement of voting at some polling units, including Unit 22, Ward 4 in Akure South Local Government Area, where the Presiding Officer, Mrs. Olayemi Olarewanju, noted that 387 voters were expected in the unit.

At the same unit, APC Vice Chairmanship Candidate in Akure South Local Government, Mr. Adebayo Ayodele, who had cast his vote, said that there had been a strong turnout of voters and expressed confidence in his party’s victory, citing its widespread popularity and acceptance in the region.