Ekiti Poll: INEC Says 92% of Polling Units Opened on Time, Reports Delays in 188

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said 92.31 per cent of polling units across Ekiti State opened on schedule during Saturday’s governorship election, with only 188 polling units recording delays.

The commission disclosed this on its X account in an update issued on Saturday as voting concluded across the state.

According to INEC, all 2,445 polling units designated for the election eventually opened for voting, while 2,257 polling units commenced operations before 8:30 a.m.

INEC said the remaining 188 polling units, representing 7.69 per cent, experienced minor delays but began voting before 10:30 a.m.

“Voting has officially ended in most Polling Units across Ekiti State following the close of polls at 2:30 p.m.

“Earlier in the day, all 2,445 Polling Units were successfully opened for the Governorship Election: 2,257 PUs (92.31%) opened on schedule before 8:30 a.m.

“188 PUs (7.69%) experienced minor delays but commenced voting before 10:30 a.m. The process remained peaceful and orderly,” the commission stated.

The update followed reports from parts of the state indicating delays in voter accreditation linked to challenges with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

In some polling units, particularly where elderly voters turned out in large numbers, election officials reportedly encountered temporary difficulties during biometric verification, resulting in slower accreditation and longer waiting times.

The situation led to queues in some affected areas as voters repeatedly attempted accreditation before eventually casting their ballots.

Despite the delays recorded in some locations, voting activities continued across the state and election officials maintained that the process remained orderly.

Saturday’s governorship election drew attention from political parties, election observers and civil society groups monitoring the conduct of the exercise.

INEC has continued to urge voters and stakeholders to rely on official channels for verified information as the electoral process enters the result collation stage.