Ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission arrived early at various polling units in Ado Ekiti on Saturday with sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the 2026 governorship election.

At Ward 8, Unit 9, and Ado/Okesa Ward, polling officials said they were on ground as early as 7am, ahead of the commencement of voting.

Presiding officers at the respective units displayed ballot papers, empty ballot boxes, and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), alongside brief voter education on the voting procedure before the exercise began.

Voting commenced at about 8:30 a.m., with voters at Ward 8, Unit 9 forming orderly queues as the process started.

The BVAS reportedly accredited the first two voters in about 10 seconds each, indicating a smooth initial process at the polling unit.

The election is being conducted across the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State, with the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) overseeing the exercise to elect chairmen and councillors for the councils.

The election features candidates from multiple political parties, including incumbent Biodun Oyebanji (APC), Oluwole Oluyede (PDP), Oluwadare Bejide (ADC), Opeyemi Falegan (Accord Party), Oyebanji Olajuyin (Labour Party), Blessing Abegunde (NNPP), Bidemi Awogbemi (APP), Ayodeji Ojo (ADP).

Others include Samuel Akande (AAC), Olaniyi Ayodele (PRP), Victor Adetunji (Zenith Labour Party), Olu Omotoso (Action Alliance), Joseph Anifowose (Allied Peoples Movement), and Ayodele Osinkolu (Young Progressive Party).

Political observers are closely monitoring the exercise as a key test of voter sentiment in the state.