Some electorate in Osun State have criticised the State Independent Electoral Commission over what they described as the poor conduct of the local government election.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday, voters expressed frustration, stating that ad hoc staff of the commission were absent at many polling units, preventing them from exercising their civic rights.
At Unit 11, Ward 3, Asubuaro in Osogbo, Mrs Tinumola Tijani lamented her inability to cast her vote due to the absence of election officials.
“It is unfortunate that I could not cast my vote,” she said. Tijani, who arrived at her polling unit before 9:00 a.m., stated that there was no OSSIEC staff on the ground to attend to her. She added that the election fell below the expectations of voters in the state.
Similarly, at Unit 17, Ward 4, Cele Junction, Owode-Ede, Mr Yemi Akindele decried the absence of OSSIEC ad hoc staff, describing the election as a “jamboree.”
Akindele said he left home early to vote but found no officials at the polling unit.
“This is unfortunate. What kind of election is this? I am highly disappointed,” he said.
NAN reported that several polling units across Ife, Osogbo, Obokun, and Owode-Ede had no OSSIEC officials present during the election period.
However, in Ede, the hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke, the situation was slightly different. Some polling units had OSSIEC ad hoc staff attending to voters.
At Obalaoye Grammar School, Unit 2, Ward 4, voters were seen on the queue as early as 8:00 a.m., waiting to cast their ballots.
At Oloba Atapara, Unit 6, Ward 1, there was a small turnout of voters who waited to be accredited and cast their votes.
Despite the restriction of vehicular movement from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., many residents defied the order, with vehicles moving freely across different parts of the state. Traders and shop owners also opened for business.
By 10:30 a.m., voting had concluded in most of the polling units visited.
