The local government election in Osun on Saturday witnessed poor voter turnout.

Reports of the election in some local governments showed that there was no presence of ad hoc staff of the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) in polling units visited.

In Osogbo, some of the polling units located at Ogo-Oluwa, Alekunwodo, Olaiya, Oja-Oba, among others, were without voters, OSSIEC staff and security personnel as of 9: 15 am.

It was also observed that the voter list was not displayed at some of the polling units visited.

However, elections took place in unit 18, 19 and 20, ward 4, Ataoja D.

Though Governor Ademola Adeleke ordered restriction of vehicular movement from 5a.m to 5p.m across the state, the order was not complied with as there was free vehicular movement without any restriction.

It was, however, observed that there were roadblocks along the major roads by the police.

Similarly, in Ile-Ife, there was no sign of the electorate as well as OSSIEC adhoc staff in some of the polling units visited.

However, shops, markets and other shopping malls were under lock and key.

In Ede, the governor’s hometown, the situation was a bit different.

Voters were seen in some of the polling units visited with OSSIEC and hoc staff attending to them.

At Obalaoye Grammar School, unit 2 ward 4, some voters were seen queuing at 8:00 am waiting to cast their votes.

Also, Oloba Atapara Ward 1, unit 6 witnessed few electorate waiting to be accredited and to cast their votes.

One of the electorate, Nifemi Akingbala, said that the process had been so peaceful and urged voters to vote without fear.

Mr Akingbala commended the electoral umpire for making the process peaceful.

Another electorate, Aminat Idowu Aminat said that she cast her vote at 8:20 a.m.

Ms Aminat commended the peaceful conduct of the election.

At Alajue 1, ward unit 8, voting ended at 8:56a.m.

The presiding officer at the unit, Emmanuel Olayiwola, said that the election started at 8:30 a.m.

Mr Olayiwola, however, said that the election was generally peaceful.

Also, at 150A station road, ward 8, unit 6, some voters were also seen around the place.

The presiding officer, John Olawale, said that the election ended at 8:30 am.

Mr Olawale said that the electoral body was in the process of sorting out the votes for counting.

It was also observed that the election concluded early  in most of the polling units in the town.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, cast his vote at unit 5 ward 9 Asi in Odo-otin LGA.

Mr Egbedun, after casting his vote, commended OSSIEC for the peaceful conduct of the election.

The speaker commended the electorate for standing firm on the side of the law.

He assured the electorate that the election would reflect the will of the people.

Mr Egbedun also commended the electorate for coming out en mass to cast their votes.

(NAN)