Several voters in Osun State have expressed their dissatisfaction with the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) over the disorganized conduct of the local government elections.
Speaking with journalists on Saturday, some electorate lamented the absence of OSSIEC ad hoc staff at many polling units, which prevented them from casting their votes.
At Unit 11, Ward 3, Asubuaro, Osogbo, a voter, Tinumola Tijani, described the situation as disappointing, stating that she arrived at her polling unit before 9:00 a.m. but found no officials present to facilitate the voting process.
“The election did not meet the expectations of voters. I came early to vote, but there was no one to attend to me,” she said.
Similarly, another voter, Yemi Akindele, who was at Unit 17, Ward 4, Cele Junction, Owode-Ede, also decried the absence of electoral officials, calling the exercise a “jamboree.”
“I left home early to perform my civic duty, but there was no OSSIEC official in sight. This is unfortunate and highly disappointing,” he stated.
Reports from polling units in Ife, Osogbo, Obokun, and Owode-Ede indicated that many lacked the presence of OSSIEC officials.
However, in Ede, the hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke, the situation was slightly different, as some polling units had electoral officials present. At Obalaoye Grammar School, Unit 2, Ward 4, voters were seen on queue as early as 8:00 a.m., waiting to cast their ballots. Similarly, at Oloba Atapara, Unit 6, Ward 1, a few voters were observed undergoing accreditation.
Despite the government’s restriction on vehicular movement from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., many residents defied the order as vehicles moved freely across the state. Businesses also remained open, with traders and shop owners carrying on with their activities.
By 10:30 a.m., the election had concluded in most polling units visited.
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