Ekiti Decides: PDP candidate, Oluyede votes, raises alarm over alleged election irregularities
By Kunle Michael
Tension trailed the Ekiti State governorship election on Saturday as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, raised concerns over alleged irregularities, claiming that delays and the conduct of electoral officials threatened the integrity of the voting process.
Oluyede made the allegation on Saturday while speaking with journalists shortly after casting his vote at Polling Unit 6, Ward 3, Osagulu Hall, Ado-Ekiti.
The PDP candidate expressed concern over what he described as an unjustified delay in the commencement of voting despite the early arrival of voters and election materials at the polling unit.
According to him, sensitive election materials were delivered to the polling centre early, while voters, including himself, arrived as early as 6:30 a.m.
He, however, noted that voting had yet to begin as of 9:45 a.m.
Oluyede said neither INEC officials nor security personnel offered any satisfactory explanation for the delay, leaving voters waiting for several hours without clarity on when accreditation and voting would commence.
“The security officials and INEC personnel, without giving any reasonable explanation, stalled the voting process and kept the people waiting for several hours.
I joined other voters on the queue very early this morning, yet up till now there has been no clear explanation as to why voting has not started,” he said.
The PDP flagbearer further alleged that the delay formed part of a broader pattern of intimidation and improper conduct capable of discouraging voter participation and compromising the integrity of the election.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC officials at the polling unit had not publicly responded to the allegations.
The governorship election is being closely monitored by security agencies, election observers and party agents across the state.
