Gunshots and Irregularities Mar Local Government Elections
The local government elections in Kwara State across its 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) were marked by widespread irregularities, gunshots, and accusations of disenfranchisement. Many residents voiced their frustration over the conduct of the elections, raising concerns about the credibility of the process under the supervision of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC).
Accusations of Voter Disenfranchisement
Numerous voters, particularly in Ajikobi Ward, expressed dissatisfaction with the election process, accusing KWSIEC of preventing them from exercising their civic rights. Speaking with SaharaReporters, an elderly woman voiced her frustration, claiming she was denied the opportunity to cast her vote due to the shortage of ballot papers and interference by security personnel.
"Look at me, an old woman with grey hair. They came here with only a few ballot papers. Not being educated has really affected me today. I've been here since morning," she said.
According to her, out of 800 registered voters in her polling unit, only 200 ballot papers were initially provided. Later, an additional 400 were brought, but this still fell short of the required number, causing frustration among voters. She also alleged that police officers disrupted the voting process by confiscating election materials.
Irregularities at Polling Units
Across several polling units in the state, voters reported various irregularities, including delays in the arrival of election materials, missing ballot papers, and untrained electoral officials. In some instances, ballot papers were scattered on the ground, and accusations were made that the ballots had been pre-marked in favor of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). A video obtained by SaharaReporters showed ballot papers strewn across the ground at Wara LGA Primary School, where a woman was accused of snatching a ballot box.
Gunshots were also reported at Polling Unit 019, Ode Ile Eletu, Magaji Aare, in Ilorin East, disrupting the voting process. However, a truckload of police officers was deployed to restore order and allow voting to continue.
Party Agents Raise Concerns
At Ajase Ward 1, some party agents raised alarm over what they termed "deliberate irregularities" orchestrated by the electoral body. Comrade Musbau Esinrogunjo, a former Special Assistant to the governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent for Ilorin West LGA, alleged that KWSIEC officials failed to deploy sufficient election materials, including ballot papers and result sheets, to many polling units.
"In Ogidi, Oloje, Pakata, and Warah wards, polling units did not receive enough ballot papers or result sheets. For instance, a polling unit with 740 registered voters received only 350 ballot papers, while another unit with 500 voters was given just 200 ballot papers," Esinrogunjo said.
He further accused the commission of intentionally withholding essential materials to undermine the credibility of the elections.
KWSIEC Responds to Delays
In response to the widespread complaints, Mohammed Baba-Okanla, Chairman of KWSIEC, attributed the delays and other logistical issues to technical challenges during the transportation of election materials. While monitoring the election in parts of Ilorin, he acknowledged the delays but assured the public that steps were being taken to resolve the problems.
"Some vehicles transporting election materials broke down, causing delays. However, we've addressed the issue, and normalcy has returned. In the areas we've inspected, the only problem was the late arrival of materials, but the situation improved once we intervened," Baba-Okanla explained.
Despite these assurances, many voters and political agents remain skeptical, citing the widespread irregularities as evidence of a compromised election process. As the elections draw to a close, the credibility of the results will likely come under intense scrutiny from opposition parties and civil society organizations
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