By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
Scores of voters in Ekiti State on Saturday besieged various polling units across the state to exercise their franchise.
In some of the communities and towns visited by The Hope, eligible voters arrived for accreditation as early as 7:00a.m.
Many of the prospective voters said they came out to vote, notwithstanding the current economic hardship, laced with lack of money, so they can use their votes to show patriotism and new sense of direction.
However, it was observed that some traders came out to display their items in some of the markets.
Some commercial motorcyclists and transporters were seen plying the roads, doing their normal business.
The Governor of the State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, shortly after casting his vote alongside his wife, Dr Mrs Olayemi at Okelele ward 3 unit 6 in Ikogosi-Ekiti, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over what he described as an improvement on the voting system.
Oyebanji who casted his vote at about 11:30 am equally lauded the peaceful conduct of the exercise and expressed optimism that the APC will be triumph in the poll.
Heavy presence of combined security personnel was virtually in every place visited, while there is a short supply in some others places.
Aside Ado-Ekiti, the State capital where the huge turnout of voters was most visible, other big towns like Ikere-Ekiti, Ikole-Ekiti, Efon Alaaye, Okemesi -Ekiti, Ifaki-Ekiti, Omuo-Ekiti and Emure-Ekiti, among many others, also witnessed same scenario.
As early as 7am, residents of Ikogosi-Ekiti the country home of Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, trooped out in their numbers to participate in the presidential election.
While many trekked long distances following the restriction on vehicular movements, few went to their polling units on private motor bikes.
At the different polling units visited, both at Ikogosi-Ekiti , Ward 003, unit 6 and Ikere-Ekiti ,the country home of the Deputy governor, Chief Mrs Afuye, voters were seen checking their names on the displayed voter registers while others were already on queues.
INEC Ad hoc officials arrived on time in readiness for the election with the sensitive materials.
Also, there was full presence of heavy security agencies such as the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence, NSCDC, Immigration, traffic warden among others on ground in many of the places visited.
Two of the voters interviewed, Mrs Bosede Aina and Mr Goke Badmus, said they were happy to see their names on the listed pasted waiting for accreditation.
Reports across the State, showed that that election materials and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arrived the various polling Centres in record time, not longer than 7:30a.m, while there was a slight delay in some others.
Security agents also arrived at many polling units before 7:30a.m, maintaining order, but not so adequate in some places.
