Ekiti Governorship Election: Turnout Impressive, Vote-Buying Allegations Surface As Voting Ends

Voting concluded in several polling units across Ekiti State on Saturday as residents trooped out to elect a governor who will lead the state for the next four years.

Reports from across the state indicated a mixed pattern of voter participation, with some areas recording impressive turnout while others witnessed relatively low voter presence.

The exercise, which took place in the state’s 2,445 polling units spread across 177 wards and 16 local government areas, commenced at about 8:30 a.m. in many locations.

Observers noted that while the process was generally orderly in several polling units, incidents of alleged vote-buying were reported in some areas, raising concerns about electoral malpractice.

Ekiti State has 1,059,360 registered voters, with 1,028,929 Permanent Voter Card (PVC) holders eligible to participate in the election.

Results from individual polling units are expected to be announced by presiding officers before collation at the ward and local government levels. The final collation and declaration of results will take place at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ado-Ekiti.

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Earlier reports from different parts of the state highlighted varying voter turnout levels, while some polling units experienced challenges with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

Meanwhile, election observers and stakeholders continue to monitor the process as collation of results begins across the state.

The governorship contest features candidates from 14 political parties seeking to emerge victorious in the poll. As voting ended in many polling units, attention shifted to the collation centres where results from across the state are expected to determine the next occupant of the Ekiti Government House.