Ekiti 2026: Voters await arrival of INEC officials

Voters at some of the polling units in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, are still awaiting the arrival of the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports accreditation and voting supposed to begin by 8:30am in line with the Electoral Act.

But on a visit around Ado-Ekiti metropolis, specifically Ward 7, Polling unit 2, 3, and 4 at Oke Ila, voters were seen waiting for INEC officials and party agents to arrive at the place as at 9am.

At Ward 6, Polling unit 4, 5, 6, and 7 at Oke-Iyinmi, voters were equally seen waiting for the officials of INEC and party agents to arrive as well.

Also at Ward 8, Polling Unit 2, 3, 4, and 5 at Dalimore, voters were seen in their numbers awaiting the arrival of the electoral officials.

However, personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Federal Road Safety Corps were present to maintain order.

The situation was different at Ikogosi-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area as impressive turnout and early accreditation of voters were recorded in the polling units visited.

At Polling Unit 003, Ward 6 Ikogosi-Ekiti, the electoral officials commenced accreditation and voting as early as 8:10am.

Party agents of All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as other parties fielding candidates and accredited observers were equally sighted monitoring the exercise.

There was security presence and peaceful conduct of people at the polling units in some of the polling units in the area.

The security personnel of the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other paramilitary agencies were deployed to polling units and strategic locations across the council area as early as 7am.

The operatives were seen at strategic locations and around polling units, while vehicular movement remained largely restricted in compliance with the election security arrangements.

NAN also observed that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived early at most polling units visited in Ikogosi-EKiti and adjoining communities, with sensitive and non-sensitive materials delivered on schedule.

At Polling Unit 003, Ward 6 Ikogosi-Ekiti, the electoral officials commenced accreditation and voting as early as 8:10am.

Party agents and accredited observers were equally sighted monitoring the exercise.

Some voters who spoke with NAN commended the timely arrival of INEC officials and the orderly conduct of the exercise, expressing optimism that the election would be peaceful and credible.

There was also the presence of elderly and people living with disabilities at the polling stations.

Voting commenced exactly at 8am at Okelele Ward 6 Unit 003 in Ikogosi-Ekiti.