Voting commences promptly, security presence assuring

Voting processes started earnestly and peacefully across the 18 Local Governments Areas (LGAs) of Ondo State, as voters turned out in large number for the governorship election.

As early as 7:10am, voters had converged at many polling units across the state to wait anxiously for officials of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who arrived at most designated areas before 7:30am.

The citizens adhered to the law restricting movement of vehicles in the state, which started Friday midnight, though soldiers arrested 35 vehicles moving out of the state at Igbara-Oke axis.

There was presence of security personnel, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who were stationed at strategic places to ensure strict compliance with electoral procedure.

There was a huge turnout of voters in Akure South, Sacred Heart School, Gbagi Isikan, Ward 2, New Stadium, Araromi Akure Ward 13 and other wards in the city.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), who arrived his Gbagi/Isikan, Ward 2, Unit 009 in the company of his wife, joined the queue to vote.

At Ifedeore council, Ilara-Mokin, Agun II, Ward 2, Unit 17, accreditation started promptly at 8:00am, and the accredited voters proceeded immediately to cast their votes.

The Guardian gathered that there was a little disturbance in Idanre council at Odode quarters, but security agencies promptly intervened and curbed any outbreak of violence.

Voters in Akoko South West in the North District, Oka/Ibaka, Ward I, Unit II started voting immediately after accreditation. Likewise in Owase/Ikese Ward 5, Unit 15 and 17.

The Smart Card Readers (SCRs) deployed for the election worked well and as confirmed by the presiding officers across the polling units, there was no cause to use the incidence forms as at press time.

The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr. Olu Agunloye, who cast his vote around 9:25am in Akoko North West, Erusu/Ikaram/Ibaramu Ward 10, Unit 008, noted that the electoral process was perfect with negligible flaw.

People With Disabilities (PWDs), pregnant women and the elderly were given preferential treatment by voters, who patiently queued to vote.