Late Arrival of Election Materials in Kwara Local Government Polls

Election materials arrived late at several polling units during Saturday’s local government elections in Kwara State, causing delays across various polling stations.

Despite the setback, residents turned out in large numbers to elect chairmen and councillors in the 16 local government areas of the state.

Voters arrived at polling units as early as 8:00 a.m. for accreditation and subsequent voting across the 193 wards in the state.

However, many polling units experienced delays in the distribution of election materials.

Speaking to journalists about the situation, Basambo Oladimeji, the Supervising Officer for Danialu Collation and Distribution Centre in Akanbi Ward 3, Ilorin South Local Government Area, attributed the delays to logistical challenges.

Oladimeji explained that insufficient buses for the transportation of election materials contributed to the late start in some parts of the state capital, Ilorin.

Despite the delays, Oladimeji expressed confidence that the lost time could be made up once the materials and officials arrived at the polling units.

He noted that each of the 51 polling units under his supervision had a total of 250 registered voters, assuring that all accredited voters would be able to cast their votes before the close of the election.

The supervising officer urged voters to adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the election to ensure a peaceful, free, and fair process.

Reacting to the situation, Barrister Adeleye Smith, a former education councillor for Ilorin South LGA, expressed concerns over the delayed arrival of election officials and materials.

He called on the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) to ensure better planning in future elections to avoid raising suspicion among the electorate.

Meanwhile, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and his deputy, Kayode Alabi, cast their votes at their respective polling units.

The governor voted at Idigba polling unit 004 in Ilorin West LGA, while the deputy governor voted at ECWA Primary School, Oro-Ago polling unit 001, in Ifelodun LGA.

Despite the challenges, the local government elections in Kwara State proceeded with voters hoping for a smooth and credible conclusion to the process.