Voting commenced peacefully on Saturday in the Lagos East Senatorial and Kosofe Constituency 2 by-elections amidst low voter turnout in the affected five local government areas of the state.
The voters comported themselves in orderly manner with adequate security while some observed COVID-19 protocols.
INEC officials reported on duty and voting commenced at about 8:30 a.m in most poling units across Lagos East Senatorial District comprising Somolu, Kosofe, Ikorodu, Epe and Ibeju-Lekki local government areas.
Few voters were on queue at most polling centres visited while electoral officers adorned face masks, but few of the voters complied with use of face mask.
In Ikorodu, police officers were seen at the polling centres protecting the voters and ensuring orderliness.
police mounted several roadblocks along the popular Ikorodu Road in attempt to enforce restriction of movement .
The police had earlier announced restriction of vehicular movement between 6.00a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday in the affected five local government areas.
Sanai Agunbiade, Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, said INEC had significantly improved in the conduct of elections in the country.
“People are exercising their franchise peacefully and people are obeying Social distance while voting” the Lagos lawmaker told newsmen after casting his vote at poling unit 043 at Grammar School, Aga/Ijomu area of Ikorodu.
Kaoli Olusanya, Vice-Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos-East Senatorial District, said that the election was so far peaceful, orderly and without any form of coercion or intimidation.
He commended INEC for creating a conducive environment for residents to exercise their franchise and vote freely.
“We have more than enough security for this area. I think everything is going on well”.
Also speaking after voting at Polling Unit 001, Mr Jimi Benson, a member of the House of Representatives, Ikorodu Federal Constituency, also declared the exercise peaceful.
“Everywhere is orderly, the INEC staff are on ground, I see the COVID-19 protocols are being adhered to”.
The lawmaker urged the electorate to exercise their franchise freely and be hopeful that the winner of the polls would make the coming years more fruitful for everyone.
Mrs Abisola Olusanya, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, also said that the polls were orderly so far.
“I am actually surprised that they started voting very early, I am also very happy that it has been peaceful, the ambience is calm, peaceful and the people are smiling, they are happy to vote. Generally that sense of calmnesss is what we expected and that is what we are seeing on ground”.
