 was marred by violence, irregularities and eventual low vote ratio.){kind=link}
The local government election in Ondo State on Saturday (today) was marred by violence, irregularities and eventual low vote ratio.
The council election was also characterized by a shortage of voting and inadequate electoral materials.
The poll conducted by the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission held in all 18 local government areas of the state.
There were reports of violence and highjacking of ballot boxes in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
Protests also erupted in some areas of the Ondo and Ile/Oluji/Okeigbo local government areas of the state.
A total of 10 political parties participated in the exercise.
The Zenith Labour Party and Peoples Democratic Party boycotted the poll on the grounds that the electoral body might not be transparent.
SaharaReporters observed that many residents of the state refused to come out and participate in the exercise.
In many polling units visited in Akure, Owo, Idanre, Akoko and Ese Odo, only security men and ad-hoc staff of ODIEC were seen in the centres with few people on the queue to exercise their franchise.
In Akoko Local Government Area of the state, the few electorates, who came out decried the shortage of voting materials.
At some polling units visited in Ese Odo, some youth protested when ODIEC officials refused to show up early to attend to them.
They also decried the diversion of election and voting materials to another community.
Speaking shortly after his vote, Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Mr Bamidele Oleyelogun, explained that the local government election was a “mock test” for the October governorship election.
Oleyelogun, who voted at his Isarun Unit 13, Ward 10, said the performance of the All Progressives Congress in the election would determine the chances of the party during the governorship poll.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on his part described the election as transparent and fair.
The governor, who voted at his Ijebu Unit 06, Ward 05 in Owo, said the election would serve as a template for the October governorship election.
Akeredolu, however, admitted that ODIEC failed in its responsibility to supply enough voting materials for the smooth conduct of the exercise in some polling units.
Prof Yomi Dimakin, ODIEC Chairman, said the commission created a level playing ground for all political parties that participated in the election and did not favor any group.