By The Pivot Online News Desk
OSOGBO — The much-anticipated Osun State governorship election has entered the counting stage, with sorting and counting of ballot papers already underway in some polling units across the state.
As of about 2:50 p.m. on Saturday, counting had commenced in parts of Ilesa West and Ejigbo Local Government Areas, following the conclusion of voting at some polling units.
The election, conducted across Osun’s 30 local government areas, features 15 candidates, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji and ADC candidate Najeem Salaam emerging as the major contenders.
Results yet to be declared
There is no official statewide winner yet. Polling-unit results are being counted and announced before the figures move through the prescribed collation process.
The early counting is therefore being closely watched by supporters of the leading candidates, while INEC is expected to collate results from the polling units through the various levels before making any final declaration.
BVAS challenges reported
The election has not been without logistical difficulties.
Complaints over the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) have been reported in several locations. In Ila-Orangun, voters at one polling unit complained that a BVAS machine had broken down repeatedly, slowing accreditation and voting.
At another polling unit in Ila-Orangun with 1,133 registered voters, the deployment of only one BVAS machine reportedly created congestion and a tense atmosphere as voters struggled to complete accreditation.
INEC’s Osun spokesman, Musa Olurode, earlier said the commission was responding to complaints about slow BVAS performance and had taken steps to address the problems.
Violence reported in Ejigbo
A disturbance was also reported at the polling unit of ADC governorship candidate Najeem Salaam in Ejigbo shortly after he voted.
According to reports, suspected thugs disrupted the exercise, forcing voters and electoral officials to flee temporarily. Security personnel, including DSS and NSCDC operatives, were deployed to restore order.
Channels Television also reported an outbreak of violence at a polling unit in Ejigbo linked to allegations surrounding vote-buying materials.
The reports have heightened concerns about the need for security agencies and political actors to ensure that the counting and collation stages remain peaceful.
Key political figures vote
Governor Adeleke and his wife voted earlier in Ede North, while APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji cast his ballot in Ikire, his home area. Former governor and APC leader Adegboyega Oyetola also voted in Iragbiji.
Former governor and ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola later cast his vote in Ilesa, attracting cheers from supporters at his polling unit.
Attention now shifts to collation
With voting completed at some locations and counting underway, the focus has shifted from voter mobilisation to the actual figures coming from the polling units.
The results announced at individual polling units will be critical as the three leading camps — Adeleke’s Accord, Oyebamiji’s APC and Salaam’s ADC — await the outcome of the state’s closely watched contest.
The Pivot Online will continue to monitor the counting and collation process and publish verified results as they are officially announced.