The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given an update on the ongoing Osun State governorship election, reporting that voting commenced smoothly across the state.
According to the electoral commission, 3,556 of the 3,763 polling units in Osun State had opened as of 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, representing 94.5 per cent of the total polling units.
INEC disclosed the figure in its election situation report as voters turned out across the state to elect the next governor.
The commission said 207 polling units, representing 5.5 per cent, had not opened as of the 8:30 a.m. update, with efforts ongoing to address delays.
The election features a number of candidates, although the contest has largely centred on incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
INEC’s update comes amid heightened public interest in the conduct of the election, particularly over the deployment of election materials, accreditation, voting and the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
The commission had previously assured stakeholders that adequate preparations had been made for the poll.
As voting continues, attention is expected to shift to the closing of polls, counting at polling units and the subsequent uploading and collation of results.
INEC’s situation report provides an early indication that the majority of polling units were operational shortly after voting began.