Ressidents of Osun State, yesterday, trooped out early to elect their leader at the fifth governorship election in the state.Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived early at polling units.
As early as 5:50am, INEC officers and security agents had arrived. Voters trooped out before 7:00am to exercise their franchise. Election started 8:00am at Ataoja voting centre, ward 13b at Fagbewesa area of Osogbo.
When our correspondent arrived Ward 5, Orisunbare village in Ede South Local Government Area at 8:15am, voting had already started. The situation was the same at Ward 4, unit 10, Alajue polling unit, situated at Seventh Day Primary School.
International observers from the United States Embassy were on ground to monitor the exercise. The presiding officer of Ward 5 at Fagbewesa polling unit, Mr. Saheed Oyewole said election officers arrived at 5:50am.
The agent of Social Democratic Party (SDP) at the polling unit, Mrs. Sarah Alabi commended INEC officers’ conducts, saying, “As at this morning, INEC has done well. The officers arrived early and they are well organised. They relate with everyone in a civilised manner.”
The drizzling in Ede didn’t deter voters, as they stood in queues to cast their votes. There was a large security presence in Osogbo and Ede, and the security arrangements were good.
At Baruwa Ward 4, Unit 19 and 20, Ward 10 polling unit 13, Fagbesa in Osogbo Local Government Area, ward 8 unit 3 Olorunda Local Government and Ward 7, Eripa Boluwaduro Local Government and ward 4, unit 10,Olobu road, Irepodun Local Government, INEC officials and election materials arrived well ahead of time.
Mrs. Alawode Abidemi, an INEC official at polling unit 1, ward 3, Ifon, Orolu Local Government, said she and other officials arrived polling centres with election materials at about 6:30 a.m.She said accreditation began at 8 a.m., and that the card reading machines were working perfectly.
It was observed that voters’ turnout was impressive at most polling centres visited in the area, while security personnel, including that of police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were deployed at strategic locations.At polling units on Ifon Road, voters were accredited with card reader. The process was smooth due to the presence of security personnel.Harold Mercy, an Assistant Presiding Officer in the area said the exercise was peaceful, as adequate materials were made available.At Boluwaduro and Boripe Local Government Areas, the materials and officials also arrived polling centres as early as 7 a.m.
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