Polling units in the Awolowo Road area of Ikoyi, Lagos, experienced significant delays, with Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission officials yet to arrive as of 8:51am on Saturday.

Our correspondent observed that many of these polling units were deserted, save for a handful of patient voters awaiting the election officers.

Specifically, at Polling Unit 29, near the Federal Service Club, only a single party agent was present, also awaiting LASIEC officials.

The situation in the Obalende area was equally slow to start, with several youths seen playing football as late as 9:15am.

At Polling Unit 29, located near the Federal Service Club, only one party agent was present, also awaiting LASIEC officials.

In the Obalende area, as of 9:15am, several youths were seen playing football on the road while security personnel were actively controlling the situation and instructing them to remove makeshift barricades.

Meanwhile, vehicular and pedestrian movement came to a standstill around the Berger and Awolowo axis, as security operatives patrolled the area to ensure order and voter safety.

However, at polling units on Odo street and Igbo street in Obalende, LASIEC officials and party agents were seen on the ground, preparing for the commencement of voting.

Similarly, from Obalende, Ije Market, Dodan Barracks and surrounding areas indicate a peaceful environment as residents, voters, and security operatives await the arrival of electoral materials.

As at 9:00am, a calm scene was observed where voters, election observers, and police officers were waiting patiently at polling centres.

In Ije Market, traders were seen cleaning their stalls, while at Dodan Barracks, youths played football and street vendors displayed their goods, turning the area into a mix of civic and commercial activity.

Our correspondent reported sighting the elderly engaged in lively debates on the significance of the local government elections.

In Ikorodu, materials arrived, but voting has not yet started in Ward A, Power Line area.

Ad-hoc staff at the units said they were waiting for party agents to provide chairs before starting accreditation and voting.

The ballot papers in circulation displayed the logos of four political parties, including, All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, and Allied Peoples Movement.

Breakdown of registered voters per polling unit includes PU 020: 32 voters, PU 021: 35 voters, PU 022: 62 voters and PU 023 with 57 voters.

Voters were seen waiting calmly for the commencement of the exercise at the time of filing this report.

Despite a public appeal by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urging residents to actively participate in Saturday’s Local Government Elections, voter turnout remained low across several parts of the state as of 10:10am.

Our correspondent who monitored the situation in the metropolis, reported that many polling units were still largely deserted, with only a handful of voters seen waiting for the arrival of electoral officers.

In Obalende, several youths were spotted playing football on the roads around 9:15am, prompting security personnel to intervene and dismantle makeshift barricades used as goalposts.

Meanwhile, LASIEC officials and party agents were seen setting up at polling units on Odo Street and Igbo Street in the same area.

However, no voters were present at the time, raising further concerns over low civic engagement.

At Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Ward E3, Adeniji Adele, a small crowd of supporters gathered in anticipation of his arrival to cast his vote, but the governor had not yet arrived as of 10:00am.

A strong contingent of policemen was observed on standby at the venue, ensuring security ahead of the governor’s appearance.

The Lagos State Local Government Elections are being conducted to fill 57 chairmanship, 57 vice chairmanship, and 376 councillorship seats across 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs.

Voting is scheduled to take place between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., with provisions for voters in line by closing time to cast their ballots. (Saturday PUNCH)