DELAY IN COMMENCEMENT OF VOTING IN IKEJA AS LASIEC OFFICIALS, MATERIALS ARRIVE LATE

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Lagos State Local Government and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) elections in parts of Ikeja were off to a slow start on Saturday, with widespread delays in the arrival of LASIEC officials and voting materials affecting early participation.

As of 8:11 a.m., there was no presence of Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) officials at polling units 85, 52, and 004 in Ward F, Alausa, Ikeja. Officials eventually arrived at about 8:13 a.m. and began setting up.

However, similar delays were reported in Ward D at polling units 028 and 004 in Anifowoshe, where officials were present but awaiting the arrival of ballot papers. At unit 028, Balogun Street, and unit 004, Araromi Street, Anifowoshe, voters and officials were ready but could not proceed due to the absence of materials.

Youths were seen playing football nearby, while food vendors continued their businesses as residents waited. As of 9:44 a.m., voting had not commenced in these areas, with only the registration of voters ongoing.

Speaking to Hotjist reporter at one of the polling units, a voter identified as Dr. Bayo Ayo expressed optimism despite the delay.

“Currently, we are just waiting for the LASIEC officials to come in with the materials. A lot of them are around, but I guess the ballot papers have not yet been supplied. So we are all eagerly waiting to cast our votes at the election,” he said.

Dr. Ayo attributed the delay to logistics issues, expressing hope for improvement in future elections. “Even though I think that at this stage, we should have gotten over this kind of hiccups.. all the same, all is good. I will be expecting them to come.”

He noted the enthusiasm among residents, particularly in his ward. “We are not discouraged and I think the voters are now more enlightened.”

“We are all very conversant with the challenges around us in this country. I am not sure that we will have people who will be discouraged. As you can see, everybody is standing and hanging around eagerly waiting for the arrival of the materials.”

The elections are expected to produce new leadership across Lagos State’s 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas.