Voting in the Lagos State local government elections has officially ended, marking the conclusion of a six-hour exercise that witnessed a mix of early logistical hiccups, low voter turnout, and notable political participation across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the state.
According to the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), the polls were held to elect chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors. The Commission confirmed that 15 political parties were cleared to participate, with no party barred from contesting in the election.
Low Voter Turnout Dominates Reports
Despite the high stakes of grassroots governance, many polling units across the state recorded poor voter participation. At PU 18 in Ikate-Itire LCDA, only 24 out of 733 registered voters (just 3.5%) had voted by mid-afternoon. A similar trend was observed at PU 036 in Ikosi-Isheri, where only six of 234 registered voters turned out.
In stark contrast, PU010 in Ojota saw relatively better turnout, with over 200 votes cast out of 445 registered voters by early afternoon. Some young Hausa-speaking voters were present in large numbers but struggled with communication, relying on interpreters to assist with the voting process.
Late Arrival of Materials and Logistical Delays
Some polling units experienced delays in the delivery of electoral materials. In Ikeja’s PU005, ballot papers only arrived by midday, despite voters waiting since 8 a.m. In Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, presiding officers were stranded due to an inadequate number of transport vehicles. While voting commenced by 9:10 a.m. in many locations, a number of units reported delayed starts due to logistical setbacks.
Prominent Figures Cast Their Votes
Key political leaders turned up to perform their civic duties, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu casting his vote alongside his wife at St. Stephen’s Nursery and Primary School in Lagos Island. Speaking after voting, Sanwo-Olu praised LASIEC for a “smooth and well-organized” process and encouraged Lagosians to participate in local governance.
Deputy Governor Kadri Hamzat also voted at Oke-Balogun in Epe at about 11:05 a.m., while Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, cast his vote at PU014, Elizabeth Fowler Memorial High School, Surulere, at 12:31 p.m. Despite his high-profile presence, voter turnout at the PU remained low, with only 60 out of 669 voters having voted three hours into the exercise.
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, voted at Orile Agege and emphasized the need for a united opposition to provide credible alternatives in future polls.
Apathy Amid Economic Activity
In several areas, such as Igbayilola Market in Ikate-Itire LCDA and parts of Surulere, economic activity continued undisturbed, with residents showing little interest in voting. Youths were seen playing football near polling units, a visible sign of disengagement from the electoral process.
Inclusivity and Security
There were also moments of encouragement. At PU017 in Small London, Surulere, a physically challenged woman, Toyin Davids, voted and commended the seamless process, urging fellow persons living with disabilities to participate in the democratic process.
Security personnel, including members of the Lagos State Police Command and surveillance helicopters, were deployed across the state to ensure safety and order.
Vote Counting Underway
As of 3:10 p.m., voting officially ended, and electoral officials began sorting and counting ballots in the presence of party agents, observers, and citizens. The results from all 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs are expected to be collated and announced in the coming hours.
LASIEC Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, expressed confidence in the credibility of the exercise and assured Lagosians that the process would be transparent and fair.
What’s Next?
With local governments playing a critical role in community development, attention now shifts to the outcome of the polls and how elected officials will respond to pressing grassroots challenges.
Stay tuned for updates as results trickle in and Lagos sets the tone for local governance over the next four years.
