Osun poll: Chaos in Ejigbo as voters, INEC officials run for safety

Voting was disrupted in Ejigbo Local Government Area of Osun State on Saturday after an outbreak of violence at a polling area sparked panic among voters, residents and election officials during the ongoing governorship election.

The incident reportedly began after a youth discovered materials allegedly connected to vote-buying and believed to be linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to a report by Channels Television.

The youth reportedly said he and others seized the materials because they were unwilling to allow what they described as an illegal activity to continue around the polling area.

However, tension escalated when individuals allegedly associated with the materials arrived at the scene and reportedly attempted to take the youth away.

The confrontation quickly descended into chaos, forcing voters, residents and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to flee the area for safety.

Video footage from the scene showed people running in different directions as motorcycles and vehicles moved through the area amid the confusion.

It was not immediately clear whether anyone sustained injuries in the incident.

Alleged Vote-Buying Raises Tension

The violence came after some voters in Ejigbo had earlier raised concerns over an alleged vote-buying operation involving a political party.

The voters reportedly alerted security personnel to the alleged activity but claimed that the operatives were reluctant to investigate the matter.

The allegation reportedly heightened agitation among voters as voting continued, with concerns growing over attempts to influence the outcome of the election.

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The claims, however, had not been independently established, and there was no immediate confirmation from the police or the party allegedly involved.

Ballot Paper Dispute Adds to Concerns

Tension was also reported at another polling location in Ejigbo, where party agents questioned the quantity of ballot papers delivered to the polling unit.

One of the agents challenged election officials over an alleged discrepancy between the number of ballot papers reportedly supplied and the number counted at the polling station.

“You told us you brought 584 ballot papers, but after counting, it was not up to 584. How come?” the agent reportedly asked.

Other residents joined the call for the ballot papers to be recounted, stressing that transparency was necessary to maintain confidence in the electoral process.

The development added to a series of concerns being raised at polling locations as voters and party agents closely monitored election materials and the conduct of officials.

Election Security Under Scrutiny

The incidents in Ejigbo are likely to intensify scrutiny of security arrangements and the conduct of political actors as voting continues across Osun State.

With allegations of vote-buying, disputes over election materials and the reported outbreak of violence emerging from the same local government area, stakeholders are expected to demand greater vigilance from security agencies and electoral officials.

The authorities have repeatedly urged political parties, candidates, voters and their supporters to maintain peace and allow the electoral process to proceed without intimidation or violence.

For voters in Ejigbo, however, the immediate concern remains whether polling can resume peacefully and whether all eligible voters will be allowed to cast their ballots without fear.

As the election progresses, attention will remain focused on Ejigbo and other flashpoints across the state, where the ability of security agencies and electoral officials to contain tensions could prove crucial to the credibility of the exercise.