There was heavy presence of security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) across Ikere-Ekiti on Saturday ahead of the commencement of the Ekiti governorship election.
Ikere-Ekiti is the home town of the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate, Mrs Monisade Afuye, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr Oluwole Oluyede.
Both the entry and exit points to the town were barricaded by the police to ensure compliance with the restriction of movement order during the election.
Vehicles and motorcycles were being stopped from advancing, with residents only allowed to move on foot, while shops and restaurants were under lock and key.
However, accredited journalists covering the election were allowed to proceed with their vehicles bearing INEC stickers.
Meanwhile, voters at some of the polling units in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, are still awaiting the arrival of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Accreditation and voting supposed to begin by 8.30 a.m. in line with the Electoral Act.
But a visit around Ado-Ekiti metropolis, specifically Ward 7, polling unit 2, 3, 4, at Oke Ila, voters were seen waiting for INEC officials and party agents to arrive the place as at 9.a.m.
At Ward 6, polling unit 4, 5, 6, 7 at Oke-Iyinmi, voters were equally seen waiting for INEC officials and party agents to arrive as well.
Also at Ward 8, polling unit 2, 3, 4, 5, at Dalimore, voters were seen in their numbers awaiting the arrival of the electoral officials.
However, personnel of NPF, NSCDC and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were present to maintain order.
The situation is different at Ikogosi-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area, as impressive turnout and early accreditation of voting 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 8.10 a.m.
Party agents of All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party 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.
Security personnel of the Police, NSCDC and other paramilitary agencies were deployed to polling units and strategic locations across the council area as early as 7 a.m.
The operatives were seen at strategic locations and around polling units, while vehicular movement remained largely restricted in compliance with the election security arrangements.
INEC officials 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 8.10 a.m.
Party agents and accredited observers were equally sighted monitoring the exercise.
Some voters who 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 presence of elderly and people living with disabilities at the polling stations .
Voting commenced exactly 8.a.m. at Okelele ward 6 unit 003 in Ikogosi-Ekiti.
