As the Ekiti State governorship election kicks off on Saturday, a massive turnout of voters at some polling units (PUs) in Ado Ekiti has been recorded, with many trooping out early to participate.

Saturday Telegraph reports that at Ward 4, Units 1 and 2, located at Saint Michael Primary School, Ijigbo, many voters, including elderly residents, were already on the ground ahead of the scheduled commencement of voting at 8:30 a.m., reflecting enthusiasm for the electoral exercise.

However, voting had yet to begin as of 8:45 a.m. after the BVAS deployed to the polling units failed to function upon the arrival of election officials.

The glitch was eventually rectified, and the first voter at Unit 2 cast his ballot at exactly 8:49 a.m., paving the way for accreditation and voting to proceed.

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The Presiding Officer, Mutiat Aliyu, confirmed the temporary hitch, saying, “It initially did not come up, but it is working now.”

Recall that the election features candidates from multiple political parties, including incumbent Biodun Oyebanji (APC), Oluwole Oluyede (PDP), Oluwadare Bejide (ADC), Opeyemi Falegan (Accord Party), Oyebanji Olajuyin (Labour Party), Blessing Abegunde (NNPP), Bidemi Awogbemi (APP), and Ayodeji Ojo (ADP).

Others include Samuel Akande (AAC), Olaniyi Ayodele (PRP), Victor Adetunji (Zenith Labour Party), Olu Omotoso (Action Alliance), Joseph Anifowose (Allied Peoples Movement), and Ayodele Osinkolu (Young Progressive Party).