Osun Poll: Early Arrival of INEC Officials Draws Praise as Voting Begins Across Ilesa, Ile-Ife

The early arrival of INEC ad hoc personnel for the Osun State governorship election has received commendation from voters and party agents across several polling units in Ilesa and Ile-Ife.

Those who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the timely arrival of electoral officials and materials helped create the conditions for an orderly and early start to voting in several locations.

At Ward 8, Unit 7, voting commenced at 8:30 a.m., with many voters already assembled at the polling unit.

Moruf Ajayi, an agent of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), commended INEC for ensuring that its officials arrived on time, saying the development contributed to the prompt commencement of the exercise.

Similarly, voter Oladimeji Ajibola described the early arrival of INEC personnel and election materials as encouraging.

He also praised the peaceful commencement of voting and appealed to voters to maintain order to support a credible election.

Furniture Shortage Delays Voting

Despite the positive reports, voting was delayed at Ward 8, Unit 10, over the absence of tables and chairs required for arranging and displaying election materials.

Presiding Officer Elizabeth Adaramaja said she and her team reached the polling unit at approximately 6:45 a.m. but could not start the exercise because the necessary furniture was unavailable.

She explained that party agents responsible for providing the tables and chairs had not yet done so.

Grace Samson, one of the party agents, said efforts were underway to address the situation and allow voting to begin.

Another agent, Rachael Ajayi, urged stakeholders to act quickly to resolve the problem while praising the early arrival of INEC officials.

Kikelomo Adeyeye, a voter at the polling unit, also defended the electoral officials, saying the delay was caused by the logistical problem rather than INEC’s late arrival.

Strong Turnout in Other Polling Units

At Kanmi Bus Stop, Ilode Ward 1, Unit 009, voter turnout was described as impressive.

INEC officials, security personnel and party agents were present, while voters checked the displayed registers in preparation for accreditation. However, no election observers were seen.

At Ire-Akari Primary School, Kosere, Ilode II, Ward III, Unit 008, election materials arrived at about 7:55 a.m. Party agents were present and voters waited for the exercise to begin. No observers or security personnel were sighted at the time.

At Government Technical College, Ile-Ife, Ward 1, Unit 001, large numbers of voters turned out, with police and NSCDC personnel deployed to the polling unit.

INEC officials arrived as early as 6 a.m. and confirmed that all required materials were available. They also disclosed that backup BVAS machines were on standby in case the primary devices developed technical problems.

Adewusi Votes in Ile-Ife

The Accord Party Deputy Governorship candidate, Prince Kola Adewusi, cast his ballot at approximately 9:10 a.m. at Akodi-Seru, Ilode 1, Ward 001, Enuwa Area, Ile-Ife.

Adewusi praised INEC for the early arrival of its personnel and commended voters for turning out in large numbers.

He said the election was progressing peacefully and appealed to voters to sustain the peaceful atmosphere throughout the electoral process.

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