Voting has ended at several polling units across Osun State, with election officials beginning the sorting and counting of ballots in the ongoing governorship election.
The close of voting followed a day marked by strong voter turnout, technical challenges and allegations of irregularities at some polling units, although security authorities described the overall situation as calm.
Independent National Electoral Commission ad hoc officials were seen sorting votes at polling units as the counting process began.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election on the Accord Party platform, cast his ballot in Ede after experiencing delays caused by difficulties with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and a faulty ink pad.
The All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, also voted in Ikire and appealed to voters to remain peaceful throughout the electoral process.
Some voters encountered difficulties with the accreditation system.
In Ife East, Prof. Olayinka Ajala was reportedly unable to vote after the BVAS failed to recognise his face and thumbprint.
The election was also characterised by allegations of vote buying and other irregularities in some locations.
In Ejigbo, voting at the polling unit of African Democratic Congress candidate Najeem Salaam was briefly disrupted after suspected thugs reportedly invaded the area shortly after he cast his ballot.
Despite the reported incidents, the Commissioner of Police in charge of election security, Samuel Erale, said the situation remained calm and that no arrests had been made at the time of his assessment.
With voting now concluded at several polling units, election officials have commenced the sorting and counting of ballots.
The results will first be announced at the respective polling units before being transmitted through the subsequent ward, local government and state-level collation processes.
The attention of political parties, candidates and voters is now focused on the counting and collation stages as Osun awaits the outcome of the governorship election.