As the Ondo State governorship election nears its conclusion, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Sylvester Alabi has embarked on a comprehensive inspection of polling units and collation centres.

This proactive measure is aimed at maintaining the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.

According to a press release by the Nigeria Police Force, the tour focused on ensuring that voting materials remained intact and accounted for while votes were counted and collated in a fair and orderly manner.

The release, titled “Ondo Elections: DIG Elections Inspects Polling Units, Collation Centres, As Polls Wind Down,” emphasised the importance of vigilance, particularly at collation centres. Officers were instructed to restrict unauthorised movements and enforce strict safety protocols to prevent disruptions.

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“The DIG further charged the officers deployed for election security to ensure a constant state of vigilance, restricting any unauthorised movement of persons in and out of the collation centres. Officers are to emplace strict safety protocols to prevent any potential disruptions or irregularities that could compromise the integrity of the elections,” the statement read.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, also reassured Ondo residents of the Force’s commitment to ensuring both the security of the electoral process and the safety of the state post-election.

“The Force is dedicated to providing top-tier security, ensuring not only the sanctity of the ongoing electoral process but also the safety of the state after the polls,” the IGP said.

In a call for collaboration, the Force urged citizens to cooperate with security agencies to uphold a peaceful atmosphere, reinforcing Ondo State’s democratic values.

The election, widely watched for its implications on national politics, continues to progress under tight security, with assurances from authorities for a credible and peaceful conclusion.

Jimi Odimayo, the lawmaker representing Irele/Okitipupa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its efforts in conducting a peaceful governorship election in Ondo State on Saturday.

After voting at his Legumare Unit 001, Anglican Primary School, Ward 3, in Irele Local Government Area, Odimayo expressed satisfaction with the seamless process. He commended the electorate for their enthusiastic participation and the smooth functioning of the election technology.

“So far, it has been peaceful, and our people are conducting themselves well. They are very enthusiastic about the election. Let me commend INEC. Based on what I witnessed today, the commission has improved tremendously. The process was seamless—it took just about two minutes for the BVAS machine to accredit me before voting,” he said.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Population highlighted the impressive voter turnout, which he noted surpassed that of the 2023 general election.

He expressed confidence in his party’s prospects, stating, “We are going to win because we have worked for it. We are looking at a massive victory for the APC because we don’t have any challenges at all. This election is going to be a pointer to what to expect in 2027, and we want to assure our President, Bola Tinubu, that Ondo State is a home for massive votes.”

While commending the current process, Odimayo acknowledged that there is still room for improvement in future elections.

The election has continued to receive commendations for its peaceful conduct as voters across the state await the official results.

In Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, voters at Majokolasan Unit 001, Ward 4, experienced delays due to the sluggish performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Community Engagement, Andrew Ogunsakin, attributed the issue to poor network coverage in the area.

Ogunsakin, who cast his vote at the unit, noted that despite the challenges posed by the slow BVAS system, the election process had been smooth. He commended voters for their patience and turnout.

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He said, “The BVAS has been very slow in my unit due to poor network. Despite this, the voting has gone on without any ugly incidents, and I commend the voters for their maturity. Voting started by 8am, and hopefully, it will end by 2pm. The APC is doing well here, and my party is sure to win the election.”

The turnout of voters was lauded, with many residents coming out in significant numbers to exercise their civic rights.

This election marks another milestone in the Ondo State democratic process, showcasing voter resilience despite technical hitches. Election observers and stakeholders have called for improvements in BVAS operations to ensure smoother processes in future elections.