Election materials and Independent National Electoral Commission representatives arrived early at the majority of polling places in Ondo State’s Akoko North-East and Akoko North-West Local Government Areas.
The security personnel blocked the main highways leading to Ikare-Akoko, the headquarters of Akoko North-East.
Additionally, as early as 7:00 am, voters were observed swarming to their respective polling places to verify their names.
INEC representatives were on the ground at Idumado Unit 4 Ward 2, Kiribo, in the Ese-Odo Local Government Area, as early as 6:50 am.
The polling station was already set up at R.C.M School Unit 5, Ward 2, Kiribo, at around 7:30 am, as voters looked up their names on the voter register in front of security personnel.
Additionally, INEC representatives were pasting the names of registered voters at Units 5 and 13, Ward 11, and Units 16 and 17, Ward 13 of Okitipupa Local Government Area at around 7:00 a.m.
A small number of voters were observed at the voting stations looking up their names in the voter register, indicating that people have also begun to turn out.
Around seven in the morning, INEC representatives and supplies arrived at Fiwasaye Polling Unit 36, Ward 5, Akure South Local Government Area.
In the presence of security personnel, INEC officials were observed setting up tables and chairs at polling unit 17, Ward 4, Ijapo Estate, Akure South Local Government Area.
A similar circumstance was noted at Ward 4, Polling Unit 19, when INEC officials were present for the election.
Additionally, some private automobiles and motorcycles were seen traveling on Oba Adesida Road and Mobil Road.
As of 8:20 a.m., polling unit 7, Olokuta Junction, Ward 1, was still not set up.
Omolola Adepoju, the presiding officer, stated that a change in the location was the reason for the delay.
Additionally, there was a strong security presence throughout the state, with members of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, and the police stationed at key locations.
At key locations, including the state capital Akure’s entry, important towns, the secretariats of local governments, and the state’s main thoroughfares, armed security guards were visible.
In most areas of the state, there was a reasonable level of compliance with the restrictions on people and vehicle movements.
While security teams in patrol cars were positioned at key locations throughout Akure, armed police officers were observed at the Mobil roundabout in Fiwasaye, Akure North LG.
Additionally, massive security personnel blocked important highways that connected Akoko North-East headquarters in Ikare-Akoko.
Personnel from the Nigeria Correction Service, NSCDC, FRSC, and police were also observed at the different voting stations.
Soldiers, police, and NSCDC security personnel were also seen at key locations in the state’s Okitipupa Local Government Area.
(NAN)
